Natural history of otitis media in the American native.

Otitis media is the leading reportable disease among the Indian and Eskimo population. In addition, its prevalence is more frequent in American natives than in Caucasians or Negroes. An attempt herewith is made to delineate the factors that account for the high prevalence of otitis media in the acute and chronic form. Secondly, the characteristic morbid complications of otitis media in this population are evaluated.