The question of the relationship between the tonsils and tuberculosis is one that has been agitating the minds of pathologists and clinicians since Trautman in 1886 called attention to the possible connection.
It was not till 1895 that laboratory methods were brought to bear by Dieulafoy, who performed inoculation brought to bear by Dieulafoy,rmed inoculation experiments on guinea-pigs and made the startling announcement that out of ninety-six pigs inoculated with bits of tonsil, fifteen showed tuberculosis. Later research has shown that these figures are not reliable.
The work has developed by rapid stages. Goodale in 1896 proved that minute particles of carmin could be absorbed quickly by the tonsil. Although bacteria are not so easily absorbed we have abundant proof that such absorption does take place. Dmochowitz and Wood have reported seeing the bacteria in the act of penetrating the tonsil.
The frequency of the presence of tubercle bacilli in