Some years ago, Dr. Roe, the laryngologist, called my attention to the depressing effect of adenoid growths on the mentality of children. Removal of adenoids and enlarged tonsils in dull or backward children almost invariably resulted in improvement in their school work. Indeed, this relationshiy between adenoids or enlarged tonsils and mental dulness has been generally recognized although the literature in reference to it is rather limited.
Recently, in the city of Rochester, removal of tonsils and adenoids was undertaken on a large scale among the school children. About 1,500 operations were performed during 1919-1920. The further outcome of this experience was a general survey of the school children of the city, numbering about 50,000, including those attending parochial schools. Of this number, about 18,000 were found to be afflicted with diseased tonsils, adenoids or both. A clinic was established early in January, 1921, and the work was speedily begun.