It doubtless has been observed by others engaged in throat work that but few people, old or young, have tonsils. It doubtless has been observed further, that when seen, they have always been associated with present or preëxisting catarrhal disease of the naso-pharynx.
It, therefore, soon became a question with the writer, if they were a true anatomical structure and organ, or a pathological product. As is well known, they are described by anatomical writers as the former, but with no fixed idea as to size and character of function. Gray probably gives a more correct description than his predecessors, and says: "The tonsils are two glandular organs situated on each side of the fauces, between the anterior and posterior pillars of the soft palate. They are of a rounded form, and vary considerably in size in different individuals. . . . . Their inner surfaces present from twelve to