nce with regard to the tonsils and
their functions seems to establish the conclusion that they have been
wrongfully and foolishly held responsible for "an iliad of ills." The
region of the nose and mouth is obviously the happy hunting-ground of
myriads of pathogenic bacteria. It is likewise continually the scene of
innumerable surgical operations, performed necessarily without
antiseptic precautions, thus extending the area of possible infection
indefinitely to the entire upper air tract which medical incompetence so
often fails to explore. And indeed, as Dr. Mackenzie freely remarks: "Of
far graver, far-reaching and deeper significance are cases of infection
in which life has doubtless been sacrificed by clinging to the lazy and
stupefying delusion that the tonsil is the sole portal of poisoning."

The mere size of the tonsil, it is shown, is no indication for removal
except it be large enough or diseased enough to interfere with
respiration, speech or deglutition--that is, swallowing; in which case
only a sufficient portion should be taken away, and that without delay.
The tonsil may be greatly enlarged or buried deeply in the palatine
arcade and yet not interfere with the well-being of the individual. Such
tonsils are the special prey of the tonsillectomist. If they are not
interrupting function they are best left alone. Moreover, it
occasionally happens that the resurrection of a "buried" tonsil is
followed shortly by the _burial of the patient_.

The practical illuminating lesson to be gleamed is this: That if in
infancy and childhood, we pay more attention to the neglected nasal
cavities and to the hygiene of the mouth and teeth, we will have less
tonsil disease and fewer tonsil operations.

"The partial enucleation of the tonsil," the writer asserts, "with even
the removal of its capsule if desired, is complete enough for all
necessary purposes and practically free from danger; moreover, it
produces equal or better results than complete enucleation with its many
accidents and complications, to say nothing of its long roll of
_unrecorded death_."

Another point: From the professional vocalist's point of view. The
tonsils are phonatory or vocal organs and play an important part in the
mechanism of speech and song. They influence the surrounding muscles and
modify the resonance of the mouth. Enlarged by disease, they may cripple
these functions and if so, their removal may increase the compass of
the voice by on