The prevalence of sinus infection and its relation to other serious pathologic conditions make its recognition and treatment one of the most interesting and important problems in medicine.
ETIOLOGY
Although a small proportion of antral infections are of dental origin, in the great majority of cases the sinus disease is the result of what is popularly known as the "common cold." There is considerable confusion in the lay mind and even in medical literature with regard to "colds."
I quote from Osler, 1925 edition, under "Relation of Common Colds to Influenza": "Much confusion must obtain in the classification of the acute upper tract infections until their cause is determined.
"At present, it is necessary to regard as 'colds' the relatively mild, recurrent, self-limited, catarrhal inflammations of the upper air passages, habitually and widely prevalent and of greatly increased incidence during the colder months of the year. Endemic prevalence and