Before treatment can effectively cure this condition, investigations have to be made to ensure there is no nasal obstruction caused by enlarged adenoids or by a bent and twisted nasal septum. X-rays need to be taken of the nasal sinuses, because if one is blocked and infected its constant contribution of sepsis to the nose maintains the catarrhal state. It also has to be established whether hay fever, allergic rhinitis, or any allergy is present, because until the allergic factor has been dealt with the catarrh cannot be cured. If allergy, infection, and nasal obstruction can be excluded then tremendous improvement can be obtained by using an alkaline nasal douche or sniff prepared by adding one teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda and one teaspoonful of ordinary salt to a pint of water. The solution, which is used three times a day over a period of many weeks or months, can produce dramatic results. It is sufficiently harmless to be used even in children. The common use of very powerful oily nasal drops to shrink the swollen lining of the nose is to be deprecated, because after the initial shrinkage the drops encourage a much worse swelling of the lining and paralyze the cilia in the nose. These cilia are minute hair-like roots, which protrude from the cells of the membrane lining the nose into the nasal cavity. They move in an orderly direction, removing partides of dust and debris, playing a useful and important part in maintaining a healthy nose. Therefore it is not in the interest of the patient to paralyze them with powerful nasal drops. The use of oily nasal drops is further deprecated because there is a risk that the oil may get into the lungs and set up oil pneumonia. Nasal drops should therefore be in a watery base.