Local.—­Attend to any disturbing cause, such as adenoids, spurs on the partition, turbinate bone, etc.  It is first necessary to render the parts clean, through the use of some mild antiseptic solution, such as glyco-thymoline, listerine, borolyptol, salt, etc.  Salt should not be used stronger than one-quarter teaspoonful in a glass half full of water.  The others can be used in one to two teaspoonfuls, to same amount of warm water.  The solution should always be mild and warm.  To use any solution pour it gently through the nose, tilting the head backward, with the mouth open; then as the solution flows through the head should be put forward and downward.  The solution flows out of the mouth, and also out of the other nostril.  A nasal douche cup made purposely should be used if possible.

1.  Spray for.—­After cleansing the nostrils with the solution the following soothing mild spray will be found of great benefit.

Menthol 5 grains
Camphor 5 grains
Liquid Alboline 2 ounces

Mix and make a solution.  Use in an atomizer or nebulizer.

[16 Mothers’ remedies]

2.  Powders for.—­Antiseptic powders are also very useful in some cases, such as, compound stearate of zinc and boric acid, or compound stearate of zinc and alum or compound stearate of zinc and menthol.  One or two drams is enough to buy at once as it is very light; always use it in a powder in the following way: 

First take a long breath and while holding the breath, puff some of the powder into each nostril; then gently puff the breath out through each nostril.  Do not snuff powder up the nose or use the powder-blower while breathing.  If this is done, some will get into the pharynx and larynx and cause annoying coughing.

3.  Solution for.—­

Bicarbonate of soda 1/2 ounce
Borax 1/2 ounce
Salt 1/2 ounce
White sugar 1 ounce

Mix all.  Half a teaspoonful to be dissolved in one-half tumbler of warm water; used with spray producer or a syringe.

4.  Spray, for.—­

Bicarbonate of soda 1-1/2 drams
Listerine 6 drams
Water 1 ounce

Use as a spray.

Ozena.—­(Foul odor from nose, not breath, due to catarrh of the nose).  The membrane is dry and shrunken.  It is a very offensive odor, thus called “ozena.”

Causes.—­It is usually seen in people who are very much debilitated, in young factory girls, and sometimes in healthy boys.  Retained secretions in the nose, usually cause the odor.  These decompose and ferment.  The nose is large and roomy, the nostrils are filled with scabby secretions; hard masses are formed which sometimes fill the nostril.

Physicians’ treatment.—­The first few weeks, cleansing the nose with peroxide of hydrogen will stop the odor.  First, remove the scabs with forceps and then wash and cleanse the nose with the peroxide solution.  It can be used from one-quarter strength to full strength, but warm.  This will leave the nose in a foamy, soapy condition and this can be cleansed with a mild solution of glyco-thymoline or salt water.