due to
engorgement of the venous spaces contained in the mucous membrane.
Obstruction from this cause is usually intermittent in character, and
may be unilateral or bilateral. It is influenced by posture, being
worse when the patient is in the horizontal position, and also by
changes in atmospheric conditions and temperature. It is characterised
objectively by a swelling of the mucous membrane, which is pink or red
in appearance and of a soft consistence, pitting when touched with the
probe, and shrinking on the application of a 5 per cent. solution of
cocain. Its soft consistence and the fact that it becomes smaller when
painted with cocain differentiate it from true hypertrophy of the
mucous membrane. Its situation and immobility, its pink colour, and
the shrinkage under cocain, distinguish it from the mucous polypus of
the nose. The turgescence may involve the whole extent of the mucosa
of the inferior turbinated bodies, including their posterior ends.
After anaesthetising with cocain, the electric cautery, or fused
chromic acid applied on a probe, may be employed for the relief of the
condition. If a true hypertrophy exists, it is better to remove it
with a nasal snare.

_Nasal polypi_ spring from the mucous membrane covering the middle
turbinated bone and from the adjacent parts of the middle meatus, but
rarely from the septum. They consist of oedematous masses of mucous
membrane, and are as a rule multiple. They are usually pedunculated,
and as they increase in size they become pendulous in the nasal
cavity. They are smooth, rounded in outline, of a translucent
bluish-grey colour, soft in consistence, and freely movable. These
characters, and the fact that the probe can be passed round the
greater part of the polypus, serve to differentiate this affection
from the erectile swelling. It must not be forgotten that nasal polypi
may be associated with suppuration in one or more of the accessory
sinuses. They are frequently present also in malignant disease, and in
these cases they bleed readily. They are best removed by means of the
cold snare, with the aid of the speculum and a good light. Several
sittings are usually necessary.

_Carcinoma_ and _sarcoma_ sometimes grow from the muco-periosteum in
the region of the ethmoid. They tend to invade adjacent parts, giving
rise to haemorrhage and symptoms of nasal obstruction, and as they
increase in size they may cause considerable deformity of the face. If
diagnosed ea