secretion which is thrown out in the more advanced stages of chronic
catarrh becomes so acrid, unhealthy, and poisonous, that it produces
severe irritation and inflammation, which are followed by excoriation
and ulceration of the delicate membrane which lines the air-passages in
the head. Although commencing in this membrane, the ulceration is not
confined to it, but gradually extends in depth, until it frequently
involves all the component structures of the nose--cartilage and bone,
as well as fibrous tissues. As the ulceration extends up among the small
bones, the discharge generally becomes profuse and often excessively
fetid, requires the frequent use of the handkerchief, and renders the
poor sufferer disagreeable to both himself and those with whom he
associates. Thick, tough, brownish incrustations, or hardened lumps, are
many times formed in the head, by the evaporation of the watery portion
of the discharge. These lumps are sometimes so large and tough that it
is with great difficulty that they can be removed. They are usually
discharged every second, fourth, or fifth day, but only to be succeeded
by another crop. Portions of cartilage and bone, or even entire bones,
often die, slough away, and are discharged, either in large flakes, or
blackened, half-decayed, and crumbly pieces; or, as is much more
commonly the case, in the form of numerous minute particles, that escape
with the discharge and are unobserved. It is painfully unpleasant to
witness the ravages of this terrible disease, and observe the extent to
which it sometimes progresses. Holes are eaten through the roof of the
mouth, and great cavities excavated into the solid bones of the face; in
such cases only the best and most through treatment will check the
progress and fatal termination of the disease.

COMPLICATIONS.

Catarrh, or ozaena, is liable to be complicated, not only by the system,
blood, and fluids, suffering from scrofulous or other taints, as has
already been pointed out, but also by an extension of the diseased
conditions to other parts beyond the air-passages of the head.

Occasionally deformities of the septum or other internal structures also
polypi or tumors, are sources of constant irritation and accelerate
catarrhal disease.

DISEASE OF THE THROAT. The acrid, irritating and poisonous discharge,
which, in some stages of disease, almost constantly runs down over the
delicate lining membrane of the _pharynx_ (throat), is liable