[Variations in mucociliary drainage of the nasal fossae after sulfoarsenical thermal therapy]. / Variations du drainage mucociliaire des fosses nasales après cure thermale sulfoarsenicale.

The saccharine test described by Andersen appears as a simple, harmless and reproducible means to measure the rate of the mucociliary clearance mainly in children. The sweet taste is so strong that the answer is always clear cut. This measured clearance is a good estimate of the efficiency of the first line of defence that builds up the mucus ciliary complex against most of the inhaled noxious agents. In measuring the rate of the clearance in 83 children before and after the Spa treatment (Saint Honoré les Bains), each subject being its own control, the Authors demonstrate a slowing of the clearance speed in 62,1% of the patients, immediately after the end of the Spa period. This percentage is almost reversed 19 days later at the end of the post Spa period. At this time, in 52.2%, an accelerated clearance is measured. This study demonstrates both the efficiency of the Spa treatment, and the necessity, too often overlooked, of 20 days of post Spa medical care.