The lymphatic glands play an important rôle, not only as the birthplace of leucocytes, but also in that they are able to arrest noxious substances, such as microbes, and keep them from entering the circulation. That the lymphatic structures are able to protect us against bacillary infection can be shown by the swelling of the spleen in infectious diseases,—such as typhoid fever, malaria, etc. The tonsils are also of some importance for our protection against harmful substances. They become inflamed in various infectious diseases—such as scarlet fever, measles, acute nephritis, etc. Their great value may best be shown by the fact that not infrequently, after total extirpation of both tonsils, a generalized eruption has been observed. Thus we must always seriously reflect before advising the extirpation of these important organs, the rôle of which as sentinels is shown by their anatomical position on either side of the entrance for the most indispensable elements of our life: air and food. Unless frequent inflammation, and possibly irritative nephritis, demand an operation, it would be better not to undertake it. Even if it is done, the glands should never be entirely removed. A great number of microbes enter our system through the mouth with the air and food, but happily they are antagonized by the saliva and the gastric juice, which are able to destroy a large number of these obnoxious invaders. Like the ductless glands, the lymphatic glands are closely connected with one another, and thus changes in one of these glands are apt to be followed by changes in the others. Hence we can see how a lymphatic structure contained in the intestine,—the appendix,—can often become inflamed after previous inflammation of the tonsils. As is well known, the appendix shows great similarity in its histological structure to the tonsils, so much so that some call it an intestinal tonsil. Several authors have drawn attention to the fact that appendicitis has often been observed after tonsillitis, and Delcour has written a monograph in which he attributes appendicitis, indirectly, to thyroid degeneration,—e.g., congenital myxœdema. Adenoid vegetations are always accompanied by chronic pharyngitis and tonsillitis, which bring about appendicitis. And since adenoid vegetations are an expression of thyroid deficiency, Delcour attributes appendicitis to a deficient thyroid. We are not prepared to accept Delcour’s statement, as there are cases of adenoid vegetations without a deficient thyroid. However, as we have personally observed, chronic nasal catarrh and tonsillitis are very frequent in persons subject to appendicitis. The appendix is an important lymphoid organ and, if possible, it should be preserved.