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The reaction of the nasal mucus
UNDER
The Reaction
TEIE DIRWTIOP;
OF
of the Nasal Mucus.
FRENC~I Tmordie,
I<. HANSEL,
M.D.,
ST. LOUIS
9.
Acta
oto-laryng,
R.:
24:
151,
This report represents a few further observations on the reaction of the nasal mucus. Previous findings, in general, mere confirmed in this report. It was found that the normal nose possesses a mucus with a reaction varying from pH 6.5 to pH 7.4, and a nonculturable content. In acute rhinitis it was found that the normal reaction is not affected for some two or three days, and during this time no culturable content is present. After that time a culturable growth of the common inflammatory organisms is obtainable for some three weeks. It was stated that chronic rhinitis may exist in connection with purely mechanical factors, for example, obstructive deviation of the septum, postoperative conditions in clean cases, or only as the result of traumatic lesions; also in hay fever, so-called spasmodic rhinorrhea and asthma, and even in some cases of rhinitis associated with sinusitis and polyps or syphilis. In all these cases an unaltered reaction of the nasal mucus and a nonculturable content may be found. On the other hand, Tweedie states that a chronic rhinitis may show abnormal alkalinity and reveal a eulturxble content obtained on a medium corresponding to the reaction of the mucus or only demonstrable on a medium of greater alkalinity. As far as cultures werp concerned, no growth was obt,ained from any nose on a medium at pH 6.5, with the exception of Staphylococczcs aureus and Staphylococcus IYta.phylococcus albus was regarded merely albus, which grow freely on any medium. as a result of caontanrinntion and not pathogenic. The usual findings are some forms of streptococcus. It WRS further stated that this bacterial growth in the nose, therefore, does not take place until and if the normzal reaction of the nasal mucus becomes alkaline and the growth must thus be regarded as a secondary infection, only virulent when some other condition induces an alkaline reaction of the nasal mucus. It was also pointed out that a normal reaction of the mucus is not the only safeguard, since other factors must certainly take part, for example, lysozyme, the action of the cilia, and probably the presence of a structurally normal nose.
The Effect of Intranasal Phenol Application ied by a New Intranasal Swab Test With Larpngoscope
46:
717,
in Hay Fever. Pollen Extracts.
Quantitatively StudVistreich, Fernand:
1936.
The effect of intranasal phenol application was studied by Vistreich in 25 conThe technic of this procedure was desecutive cases of early and late hay fever. scribed in detail. It was stated that the treatment was not followed by stormy reactions or long convalescence. The results were reported as follows: 90 to 100 per cent relief was obtained in 75 per (sent of the cases; 75 to 90 per cent relief in 8.3 per cent; 50 to 75 per cent relief in 12.5 per cent; and no relief in 4.2 per cent. By means of intranasal swab tests with serial dilutions of pollen extracts, it was noted that the treatment produced an actual decrease in the sensitivity of the nasal By periodic testing it was found that this state of relative inmucosa to pollen. The average duration observed in this group of sensitiveness is not permanent. cases was approximately seven to eight weeks. This form of treatment was recommended as a palliative procedure in those patients with hay fever presenting themselves for treatment during the season. Also in patients who previously had had unsatisfactory results from allergic treatment. It was also recommended for those patients who do not tolerate well the hypodermic injections of pollen extracts.
The Reaction
TEIE DIRWTIOP;
OF
of the Nasal Mucus.
FRENC~I Tmordie,
I<. HANSEL,
M.D.,
ST. LOUIS
9.
Acta
oto-laryng,
R.:
24:
151,
This report represents a few further observations on the reaction of the nasal mucus. Previous findings, in general, mere confirmed in this report. It was found that the normal nose possesses a mucus with a reaction varying from pH 6.5 to pH 7.4, and a nonculturable content. In acute rhinitis it was found that the normal reaction is not affected for some two or three days, and during this time no culturable content is present. After that time a culturable growth of the common inflammatory organisms is obtainable for some three weeks. It was stated that chronic rhinitis may exist in connection with purely mechanical factors, for example, obstructive deviation of the septum, postoperative conditions in clean cases, or only as the result of traumatic lesions; also in hay fever, so-called spasmodic rhinorrhea and asthma, and even in some cases of rhinitis associated with sinusitis and polyps or syphilis. In all these cases an unaltered reaction of the nasal mucus and a nonculturable content may be found. On the other hand, Tweedie states that a chronic rhinitis may show abnormal alkalinity and reveal a eulturxble content obtained on a medium corresponding to the reaction of the mucus or only demonstrable on a medium of greater alkalinity. As far as cultures werp concerned, no growth was obt,ained from any nose on a medium at pH 6.5, with the exception of Staphylococczcs aureus and Staphylococcus IYta.phylococcus albus was regarded merely albus, which grow freely on any medium. as a result of caontanrinntion and not pathogenic. The usual findings are some forms of streptococcus. It WRS further stated that this bacterial growth in the nose, therefore, does not take place until and if the normzal reaction of the nasal mucus becomes alkaline and the growth must thus be regarded as a secondary infection, only virulent when some other condition induces an alkaline reaction of the nasal mucus. It was also pointed out that a normal reaction of the mucus is not the only safeguard, since other factors must certainly take part, for example, lysozyme, the action of the cilia, and probably the presence of a structurally normal nose.
The Effect of Intranasal Phenol Application ied by a New Intranasal Swab Test With Larpngoscope
46:
717,
in Hay Fever. Pollen Extracts.
Quantitatively StudVistreich, Fernand:
1936.
The effect of intranasal phenol application was studied by Vistreich in 25 conThe technic of this procedure was desecutive cases of early and late hay fever. scribed in detail. It was stated that the treatment was not followed by stormy reactions or long convalescence. The results were reported as follows: 90 to 100 per cent relief was obtained in 75 per (sent of the cases; 75 to 90 per cent relief in 8.3 per cent; 50 to 75 per cent relief in 12.5 per cent; and no relief in 4.2 per cent. By means of intranasal swab tests with serial dilutions of pollen extracts, it was noted that the treatment produced an actual decrease in the sensitivity of the nasal By periodic testing it was found that this state of relative inmucosa to pollen. The average duration observed in this group of sensitiveness is not permanent. cases was approximately seven to eight weeks. This form of treatment was recommended as a palliative procedure in those patients with hay fever presenting themselves for treatment during the season. Also in patients who previously had had unsatisfactory results from allergic treatment. It was also recommended for those patients who do not tolerate well the hypodermic injections of pollen extracts.