ly removed, and show no
tendency to recur. Later, they grow more rapidly, tend to infiltrate
their surroundings and to assume malignant characters, so that
complete removal becomes difficult or impossible.

_Epithelioma_ may originate in the hard palate as a result of local
irritation, or may spread from adjacent parts. When it is confined to
the palate it is treated by removal of the palatal and alveolar
portions of the maxilla.

#Elongation of the uvula# is usually due to a chronic inflammatory
engorgement combined with glandular hypertrophy of the mucous
membrane. It often occurs in children, and is associated with a
constant hacking cough, which is usually worst when the patient is
lying down. By tickling the back of the tongue and pharynx it may
induce vomiting after meals. The treatment consists in snipping off
the redundant portion with scissors.

#Epithelioma of the floor of the mouth# frequently originates in the
mucous membrane between the frenum of the tongue and the inner aspect
of the gum. It develops insidiously, grows slowly, and gradually
spreads to the mandible and to the substance of the tongue, tacking it
down so that it cannot be protruded. The glands are early involved,
and their enlargement not infrequently first draws attention to the
condition. It is to be regarded as a particularly unfavourable site,
as local recurrence is frequent. For the complete removal of the
disease it is necessary to excise the tissues in the floor of the
mouth, and a variable portion of the tongue and mandible, and to clear
out the glands and fat from the submaxillary and submental regions.

THE TONSILS AND PHARYNX

#Infective Conditions.#--The majority of the infective conditions
included under the popular term "sore throat" originate in the
tonsils, and are due to the action of bacteria which under normal
conditions are present in the crypts of the tonsils and of the mucous
membrane of the naso-pharynx. The most important of these organisms
are streptococci, various forms of staphylococci and of
pneumo-bacteria, and diphtheritic and pseudo-diphtheritic bacilli. So
long as the health is good these organisms are harmless, but when
there is any lowering of the vitality they become virulent and give
rise to various forms of infection.

_Catarrhal tonsillitis_--usually attributed by the laity to "catching
cold"--is characterised by hyperaemia and congestion of the tonsils and
mucous membrane of the pharynx, soft p