The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-02-17
CATARRHAL DEAFNESS.
An Affection Most Commonly Connecte
with the Middle Ear.

An AfiictIon Most Commonly Connected
with the Middle Ear.
Catarrh is an Increased secretion %
mueus from the mucous membrane. due
to its inflammation. This membrane
lines the cavities of the eyes. ears. nose,
mouth; indeed, every cavity which
opens directly or indirectly to the air.
The mucous membrane of each of these
organs is liable to Inflammation aud
consequent morbid increase of mucus,
and hence we may speak of catarrh OF
the stomach, bowels, bladder. The in
flammation may be acute or chronic.
As popularity used. the word catarrh
generally refers TO the mucous mem.
brane of the nostrils, pharynx (back
mouth) and air tubes. An ordinary
''cold" in the ''head' is temporar,
catarrh- Catarrhal deafness is most
commonly connected with the middle
ear. the tympanie cayity-the portion
next bevond the drum. This cavity
opens into the mouth through the Eu.
stachian tube. and is thus supplied with
the necessary air. Now the mucous
membrane that lines this tube may
swell and close it up, in consequence OF
inflammation extending from the nos
trils and pharynx. Deafness, more Oh
less, may be due to this closure.
Again. the mucous membrane which
lines the cavity of the middle ear may
itself be inflamed. If this is long con-
tinued. the membrane becomes thick
ened; the ossicles-the little bones that
conduct the vibrations of sound from
the drum to the nerves of the internal
ear-may be greatly interfered with;
the mucus may accumulate and be-
come solid, it, fluid portion being alb
sorbed. or it may become purulent as
in abscess, and may eat its way through
the drum. Thus deafness, in various
degrees, may result
As to the treatment OF catarrhal
deafness, we can give no other advice
than to urge an early resort to the best
expert within call. In this way alone
in many cases, can permanent. and
perhaps complete. deafness be avoided.
The medical and surgical resources are
now vastly beyond what they were
fifty wears ago. But we must add, lei
oil who seem specially liable to ca
tarrhal difficulties avoid exposure to
cold Ids. wear flannel next to the
ski Naa. in every practicable way,
MAINTAIN high degree of general
health.
beating" in the car is due to an in
creased sensitiveness of the nerve,
causing it to feel the throbbing OF
some minute artery. In many cases OF
ear troubles there is ringing (tinnit-
us) in the ears. which may be of al
most every conceivable degree and va
riety.- Youths Companion.
-Jack-''Ethel. 1 am ashamed OF
you. 1 saw that Frenchman in the con-
servatory kissing you repeatedly.
Why didn't you tell him to stopP"
Ethcl-'I couldn't, Jack" Jack
you couldn'tP Why notP' Ethel
~ can't speak French"
"A Doubtful Success.-De Puyster
(who has forgotten the name of an ac-
quaintance and wishes to recall it un.
obtrusively)-"By the way-your pc
culiar name; may l ask how you
spell itPn Acquaintance-"Certainly
BROWN" De Puyster (expressively)
-"Ahr'-7vd- Bits
Here's piece in the paper about
an Indianapolis woman whose voice
can be heard mile, " said Mrs. Slashel
to her husband "Well, dear. don't be
jealous. You may not be much ON .
mile dash. but your staying qualities
y ara oarta;nIv ,,nournasso - - --~------