The tonsils and adenoids of children have for a long time been thought to bear some relationship to the child's health. Hypertrophy of this lymphoid tissue has given rise to symptoms causing obstruction to breathing or swallowing. Infection of this tissue has been considered a focus for numerous diseases either in adjoining organs or in general systemic infections. When hypertrophy of the adenoid and tonsillar tissue exists, causing obstructive symptoms, the surgical removal has been of undoubted benefit to the child. In a series of 5,000 children examined one year after the tonsils and adenoids had been removed, in whom obstructive symptoms were the chief indication for operation, only 10 per cent failed to get relief from the mechanical obstruction. Incomplete removal of lymphoid tissue, nasal obstructions and developmental defects account for the failure in 10 per cent.
The relationship of the tonsils and adenoids to the common infections in