The Dickinson press., 1888-09-15
CHAPTER ON DEAFNESS.
THE EAR A MOST INTRICATE AND
WONDERFUL STRUCTURE,

Other Varieties of Complaint-singing
in the Ears-The Deaf Colombian Eng
glisl, Physicians Suggestions,
1t would take much }chger paper than l
have space to write to describe the anatomy
of the ear and the pathology of the different
kinds of deafness. 1t is most intricate
structure, fearfully and wonderfully made
and consisting of tubes external and INTERNAL
drum, muscles, nerves and bones of its
own, all lying inside ono of the hardest and
strongest bones of the human body This
latter Was specially designed by nature to
shield II from blows. 1t is supplied with air
10y a h.. tube called the eustachian, opening
into H. back part of the throat.
Tia, iubo l mention specially to account
for TIE fact ofpcoplo becoming deaf through
bad colds or swelling of the tonsls. Observe
that tho eur must be supplied with air, or
hearing becomes an impossibility. You hear
this air cracking in tho car when you go
through the process of swallowing tho saliva.
Well, il it is closed by tho products of in
Illumination, or if it DO shut up as to its
mouth by the pressure of swollen tonsil, it
is obvious enough partial or complete deaf
hess will be the result for tho timo being.
This is sometimes called throat deafness,
and, like every other form of the complaint,
requires special treatment. 1t is, perhaps,
one of tho commoncst, if not the commonest
kind. If caused by the pressure of the tonsils
it is merely mechanical, and tho remedy is
removal Of tho cause. When, however, it
is caused by tho extension of inflammation
of mucous membrane during cold, it may
or may not depart with tho cold. 1t would
then liave to be seen to surgically, and tho
passing of IL catheter might be necessary, q
simple but delicate operation which only
professional man could be trusted to perform.
VARIOUS KINDS OF DEAFNESS.
Another very common species of deafness
that caused by obstruction of the external
tube OF tho car with tax, which may be dis
solved out or syringcd out by practiced
hand, when tho cure would be complete. II
tho drum of the ear be eaten through by ul-
reration, no permanent euro is of course to
Ie expected, but u visit to clever aurst
may send tho patient homo rejoicing never
thcless. There are nflummutionB of various
other portions of tho ear which l need not
mention, all of which cause deafness. There
is also II kind Of deafness caused by paralysis
J
the brain from the ear.
Many forms of tho complaint are accom-.
panied, especially ut tho outset, by disagree
able noises in tho organ, or apparently in
that part of tho brain adjoining. 1t is as il
one were actually listening to the rush of tho
blood through tho vessels of tho brain. | am
not surc that it is not SO, and that one cannot
even judge Of tho state of his circulation by
these sounds alone. Both this same singing
IN the ears may occur i'll those who are not
deaf, and if it continues long it is well to coll
suit your physician, especially if you be fat
aud plcthoric, for it may be an early symp-
tom of apoplcxy, or what is called "a
stroke"
We often hear one fricSd say to another:
iou'ro very deaf today," and perhaps tho
reply is: "Wcll, l am bit deaf today;
s;ry with the weather." This is Il species of
d afncss common in the nervous, and really
ariaos from debility, consequent perhaps
u!.on some temporary arrangement of tho
digestive organs. People subject thereto
should live carefully antt~tbstemiously. They
should try to live SO us to DO Independent of
tho use Of drugs.
HEARING IMPROVED BY NOISE.
have heard it said that the deaf hear bot
ter when amy noise is going on, probably be-
cause then other people are talking loudest.
really believe that is tho truo reason But
my grandfather used to relate an instance Of
tho deaf colonel of IL regiment who was so
convinced of tho truth of this opinion that
Whenever ho had to converse on parade
"ith any of his men or officers, he used to
havo the drummer to beat up close along
side.
There is one affection of the ear which is
If very dsagreciAlc kind, and which
must mention while l thlnK Oh lu-runnlng
from the ear. If the exuding matter wero
uonoifcnsivc it would DO bad enough, but
from being mingled, L suppose, with the Sc
.rction Of wax it is fctid. Tho most simple
form is that occurring i'll children of
sirulnous diathesis, where it proceeds simply
from tho outer canal of the ear. 1t is not
then dangerous in itself, and is remediabe
by great attention to health and injections of
III astringcnt und tisinfectant nature ap-
;,lied by means of little syringe.
And now what have l to say about tho
treatment of deafness! Very little fear.
Were talking to students it would be differ
ent, but the ear is such delicate organ that
IN nine cases out Of ton meddlesome domestic
surgery makes matters worse. Each case
must be treated Oh its own merits, and the
sooner the bctter-simple cases by your own
medical adviser, the moro difficult by those
men who make the car specially.
But rs prevention is better than cure, 1
may mention that no one should expose his
.ars to draughts, especially blizzards; that
the less Interference with the ear at all times
the better; for example, picking the ear, or
poking pins or pcnholdcrs in it, does not con-
luco to contemplation; that wearing cotton
" wool in the ears is q stupid and dangerous
practice, and moro likely to induce cold than
prevent it; that scrubbinS the ear out i'll tho
morning with the corner Of the towel is bad
practice; aud finally, that boxing child on
the ear may lead to permanent deafness-s
Family Doctor i'll Cassells Magazine.