res, in which may be seen the
upper part of the posterior end of the inferior turbinal, the middle
meatus, the posterior end of the middle turbinal, the superior meatus,
and occasionally a portion of the superior turbinal. On the lateral
wall of the naso-pharynx the Eustachian opening and cushion can be
seen, while by tilting the mirror backwards the vault of the
naso-pharynx can be inspected.

_Digital examination_ of the naso-pharynx may be required, especially
in children. The examiner passes his left arm and hand round the back
of the child's head, and with one of his fingers presses the cheek
inwards, between the jaws. His right forefinger is carried along the
dorsum of the tongue, passed up behind the soft palate and a rapid
examination made of the post-nasal space.

CARDINAL SYMPTOMS OF NASAL AFFECTIONS.--The chief symptoms of nasal
disease are: nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, anomalies of smell
and taste, and certain reflex phenomena.

#Nasal Obstruction.#--This may be partial or complete, intermittent or
constant, and may be the cause of such symptoms as alteration in the
tone of the voice, catarrh of the respiratory passages, snoring,
cough, headache, inability to concentrate the attention, alteration in
the physiognomy, or deformity of the chest. The half-open mouth,
drooping jaw, lengthened appearance of the face, narrow nostrils, and
vacant expression are characteristic signs of nasal obstruction.

Nasal obstruction may be due to _intra-nasal_ or to _post-nasal_
(naso-pharyngeal) causes. Amongst the former may be noted as the more
common, erectile swelling and hypertrophy of the mucous membrane
covering the inferior turbinated bones, and nasal polypi growing from
the middle turbinal and middle meatal region. Causes originating in
the septum include deviations, spines, and ridges, and septal haematoma
and abscess. Obstruction may also be due to the presence of a foreign
body in the nasal cavity, to a rhinolith, and to imperfect development
of the nasal chambers. Further, tumours, both simple and malignant,
and such conditions as tubercle, lupus, syphilis, and glanders may
interfere more or less with nasal respiration. The most common cause
of post-nasal obstruction is the presence of adenoids; more rarely
fibro-mucous polypi, fibrous tumours, malignant disease, and
cicatricial contractions and adhesions resulting from syphilis are met
with.

_Erectile swelling_ of the inferior turbinated bodies is