Wichita eagle., 1888-09-16
CHAPTER ON DEAFNESS.
THE EAR A MOST INTRICATE AND
WONDERFUL STRUCTURE.

Throat Deafness and Its Treatment.
Other Varieties of Complaint-singing
in the Ears-The Deaf Colombian Eng
glish Physicians Suggestions.
1t would take a much longer paper than
have space to write to describe the anatomy
of the ear and the pathology of the different
kinds Of deafness. 1t is a most intricate
structure, fearfully and wonderfully made,
and consisting of tubes external and internal,
q drum, muscles, nerves and bones OF its
own, all lying inside one Of the hardest and
strongest bones of the human body. This
latter was specially designed by nature to
shield it from blows. 1t is supplied with air
by long tube called the eustachian, pe-ing
into the back part Of the threat.
This tube I mention specially to account
for the feet Of people becoming deaf through
bad colds or swelling Of the tonsils Observe
that the ear must be supplied with air, or
hearing becomes an impossibility. You hear
this air cracking in the ear when you go
through the process of swallowing the saliva
Well, if it is closed by the products Of in
flamInation, or if it be shut UP as to It's
mouth by the pressure of swollen tonsil, it
is obvious enough partial or complete deaf
ness will be the result for the time being.
This is sometimes called throat deafness,
and, like every other form Of the complaint,
requires special treatment 1t is, perhaps,
one Of the comnonest, if not the commonest
kind II caused by the pressure OF the tonslls
it is merely mechanical, and the remedy is
removal of the cause. When, however, 1t
is caused by the extension Of Inflammation
of mucous membrane during a cold. 1t may
or may not depart with the cold. 1t would
then have to be seen to surgically, and the
passing of catheter might be necessary,
simple but delicate operation which only
professional man could be trusted to perform.
VARIOUS KINDS OF DEAFNESS.
Another very common species Of deafness
is that caused by obstruction Of the external
tube of the ear with tax, which may be dis
solved out or syringed ont by practiced
hand when the cure would be complete. II
the drum of the ear be eaten through BY ul-
ceration, no permanent cure is Of course to
be expected, but a visit to clever aurist
may send the patient home rejoicing never
theless. There are infammations Of various
other portions of tho ear which / need not
mention. all of which cause deafness There
is also kind of deafness caused by paralysis
of the nerves which carry the impression to
the brain from the ear.
Many forms Of the complaint are accom-
panied, especially at the outset, by disagree
able noises in the organ, or apparently in
that part of the brain adjoining. 1t is as If
one were actually listening to the rush of the
blood through the vessels of the brain. l am
not sure that it is not so, and that one cannot
even Judge of the state Of his circulation by
these sounds alone. Both this same singing
in the ears may occur in those who are not
deaf, and if it continues long it is well to con-
suit your physician, especially if you be fat
and plethoric, for it may be an early symp-
tom of apoplexy, or what is called "a
stroke"
We often hear one friend say to another:
YOU'RE very deaf today" and perhaps the
reply is: s'WelI, I am bit deaf today;
vary with the weather." This is species Of
deafness common in the nervous, and really
arises from debility, consequent perhaps
upon some temporary arrangement Of the
digestive organs. People subject thereto
should live carefully and abstemiously. They
should try to live so as to be Independent Of
the use of drugs.
have heard it said that the deaf hear bet
ter when any noise is going on, probably be-
cause then other people are talking loudest.
really believe that is the true reason. But
my grandfather used to relate an instance Of
the deaf colonel of regiment who was SO
convinced of the truth of this opinion that
whenever he had to converse on parade
with any Of his men or officers, he used to
%(,a n, hoo a o.
side.
of very disagreeable kind, and which
must mention while 1 thinK Oh IU-running
from the ear If the exuding matter were
non-offensive it would be bad enough, but
from being mingled, suppose, with the Sc
erection of wax it is fetid The most simple
form Is that occurring in children Of q
strumous diathesis, where it proceeds simply
from thu outer canal Of the ear. 1t is not
then dangerous in itself, and Is renledIable
by great attention to health and injections of
an astringent and disinfectant nature sp-
piled by means of little syringe.
And now what have to say about the
treatment Of deafness' Very little, fear.
Were talking to students it would be differ
emit, but the ear is such delicate organ that
in nine cases out of ten meddlesome domestic
surgery makes matters worse. Each case
must be treated on its own merits, and the
sooner the better-sinple cases by your own
medical adviser, the moro difficult by those
men who make the ear q speciality.
But as prevention is better than cure,
may mention that no one should expose his
ears to draughts, especially Billiards; that
the less interference with the ear at ell times
the better; for example, picking the ear, or
poking pins or penholders in it, does not con-
duce to contemplation; that wearing cotton
or wool in the ears is stupid and dangerous
practice, and more likely to induce cold than
prevent it; that scrubbing tho ear out il. the
morning with the corner Of the towel is bad
practice; nnd finally, that boxing child on
tho ear may lead to permanent deafness
Family Doctor in Cassells Magazine
Charles Rea6e's Literary Methods.
Charles Reade wrote much and well. He