The Red Cloud chief., 1889-05-24

lieved with warm. weak saleratus
water. dropped into the passage. 1t is
q common practice in such cases and
many others to drop into the ear sweet
oil or glycerine. Their use a scarcely
ever be justified. and certainly in some
conditions OF the ear it is absolutely
forbidden as harmful. Not only is itch
ing when severe an evidence of trouble
within the ear, but all such sensations
as of fullness. of burning or of pain.
| also indicate that there is some disease
| going on therein, and, OF course. a
! physician should be consulted. For
| these symptoms and for some others
| the syringe is frequently brought into
service. Very generally that ins:ru-
| ment is a small glass affair which Is
we'll nigh valuless for the purpose to
| which it is pu:. To syringe out the
ears is Il very nice operation. and one
can scarcely do it properly without be-
ing instructed by a physician. Where
there is any deposit in the a as of
hardened wax, ETC., a considerable
| quantity OF water must be thrown into
it in order to do any good. Again,
the stream must be properly di-
| rected or more harm than good will
result; instead OF being dislodged and
washed out. the offending substance to
be removed will be driven further in
and become packed against the drum.
Then, there are other things to be con-
s;dered in this connection. In using a
syringe, if a stream Of water is thrown
against the drum with too great force.
injury is sure to result. In that way it
is possible to rupture the drum. but if
that is not done Inflammation will very
likely be the consequence. Again.
water too hot or too cold may set ne an
inflammation. Therefore. all things
considered. the rule is fixed that syring-
ing the ear should never be done unless
a physician has advised it and given
ample instructions IS to all its details.
In all cases of earache. the sufferer
should consult a physician-a special
list in diseases of the ear. if possible
instead o ftrying the effects of pOultices.
"earache drops" onions or tobacco
smoke and similar favOrite remedies.
These never need to be used to relieve
painful ears. Oftentimes the earache
is only a sign of disease in distant
parts; as, for instance. decaying teeth
often nus reflex pains in the ear. 1t
is easy to see the utter absurdity of
treating the a in such cases. Usually,
and, indeed, almost always in children
an earache signifies an Inflammation in
the middle ear, which, as has been
stated. lies beyond the drum. In every
case where that symptom is complained
of. the parent should determine
whether Or not the hearing powers i'm
paired. That is easily done by stopping
up the unaffected ear and asking the
child a question. II he does not answer
promptly, then his hearing power is
lessened, and there is disease. In such
cases an accurate knowledge Of the
condition Of the a must be had before
rational treatment can be given. About
the only remedy which is safe to be ad-
ministered by parents on their own
responsibility is dry heat over the ear
by the meal of hot fiannels. bran bags |
and the like. Young children by far
the most often suffer from earache, and
they are the ones who have not learned
''how to blow the nose" and so
mechanically open the passage from
the throat to the ear. through which
the air enters to the cavity beyond the
drum. Among the children who fire.
quently suffer from earache it is also
noted that quite a large proportion
have chronic throat or nasal troubles,
enlarged tOnsils. ''catarrh" and the
like. When this is the case a perfect
cure is impossible unless these affec-
tons are overcome.
An irritation in one part Of the body
will Oftentimes give rise to a peculiar
manifestation in some other part of it.
even quite distant. One llustratiOn-
of the decayed tooth and the
ear-has already been given.
As another illustration is instanced the
fact that when one tickles his ear
with his finger he feels quite a strong
inclination to cough. Now. children
have a dry v cough with
out any apparent trouble about the
throat or chest. Very often in such
cases there is found in the a some
thing or other, like humps OF wax.
excites an irritation. and so in
iuces the cough, which is then called
''ear cough" From this it will appear
that where a persistent cough exists.
Tor which there is no apparent reason.
such as bronchitis. ETC.. then thss ears
night to be carefully examined.
Rapture by conclusion Of air is one
Of the. most common accidents which
happen-tO the drum of the ear. Sud-
len and intense noises, such as cannon
firing. are. likely to aus it. and more
especially If the mouth is closed. Rup-
lure may even be caused by screaming
suddenly into a PERSONS ear. Blows
On the ear are = frequent c1nse Of the
accident, and, hence. boxing the ears.
4 form Of punishment quite often re