In other words, in the percentage of cases below normal intelligence,
the tonsil group exceeds by 2.4 per cent. The percentage of defective
cases is also slightly greater in the tonsil group--the difference here
being 2 per cent. The normal group has a negligible predominance of
bright cases,--only two-tenths of one per cent difference, while with
the very superior cases, the tonsil group again exceeds,--by 1.2 per
cent. The per cent of the tonsil group which reaches or exceeds the
median of the normal is 49 per cent.
These figures seem to indicate remarkable similarity between the two
groups considered. The two distributions are almost identical. While the
slight predominance of cases below normal mentality in the tonsil group
may indicate a very feeble tendency toward coincidence of tonsillar
defect and mental dullness, it does not seem large enough to be at all
significant. This is especially true when we consider that the tonsil
group exceeds in superior children. If we allow the preceding contention
of coincidence between dullness and tonsils, must we not argue here in
the same manner for a tendency toward coincidence of superiority and
tonsils?
The chief source of error in this part of the study is the fact that the
throat examinations were not conducted by the same person throughout the
investigation. For this reason there must have been some slight
disagreement as to what should constitute a reportable case. In the
event, then, of a positive relationship between tonsil defect and
lowering of the intelligence quotient, placement of normal tonsils in
the "tonsil" group, and of diseased tonsils in the "normal" group would
raise the first, and lower the second, thus tending to conceal the
difference between the two. On the other hand, the cases where
disagreement would occur would naturally be those of slighter defect, in
which the intellectual retardation would be less likely to occur, so
that the result would probably be merely an increased height at the
overlapping portion of the curves, with no change at the ends.
In any case, the two examiners had worked together previously, so that
each must have been somewhat familiar with the opinions of the other.
They were aware, also, that pronounced tonsillar defect was what we were
attempting to detect. However this may be, there must always be some
disagreement in diagnosis. When this is allowed for, the results of the
investigation may be taken for what they are worth. Contrary to
expectation, there seems to be very little difference in intelligence
between a group of children whose throats are normal, and one in whom
the tonsils are diseased or badly enlarged.
STUDY OF IMPROVEMENT AFTER OPERATION
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