Evening journal., 1914-08-19
PLUG EARS TO AVOID
death IN THE SURF
GermanPhySician Says Many
Die When Cold Water
Reaches Vital Centres
MAY EXPLAIN SOME
DROWNING MYSTERIES

Much interest has been aroused
among physicians here by the timely
suggestion Of DR.. Guttlich, a German
medical authority. who believes that
many of the sudden and otherwise
unexplainable deaths that occur each
summer among surf bathers are due
directly to a sudden, paralyzing
dcuche of cold water which pene-
trates through defective ears to vital
centres near the brain.
DR.. Guttlich. a writer Of note, and
an attacne of big hospital at Frank
fort, thinks many of the apparently
strong and vigorous persons who
drown suddenly every summer and
whose deaths are attributed TO apo
/ IleXy, heart disease or violent change
of temperature. are in reality vic
Tins of a sort of cerebral paralysis
Physicians here said today that while
they weren't ready TO accept this
theory without qualification, they re-
cognized its value.
The German physician. in his orr
ginal thesis, assumed that most of
those who die suddenly in the surf
have LESSONS or other minor defects
of the tympanum Of the ear. due fire.
Quently to attacks of scarlet fever or
ether diseases in early youth In
such instances the person so affected
may be quite unaware Of the defect
which permits the sudden entrance
of cold water into the extremely SEN
sitive region beyond the vestibule OF
the ear.
It is suggested that the safe method
for any one who in one way or an
ether may be conscious of aural de.
fects is to plug the ears with cotton
before swimming or bathing. Doc.
tors here declare this most excellent
advice.
After calling general attention tC
the fact that many who are described
as having died of heart disease, apo.
plexy or the like. are usually found
on post-mortem examination, to have
been in vigorous health. Dr. Guttlicf
describes the results Of his investiga
tions
1--WE must seek the true explana
/ ton in the condition of the vestibul,
of the internal ear. whose troubles
/ provoke deafness and nystagmus." h.
said. These phenomena presen
themselves in certain subjects whl
have LESSONS in the membrane of tn
| tympanum. and cold water thus pene
trates the ear Sudden deaths ar
caused by those alterations in tn
apparatus of the vestibule. More
over. in many persons. this pierce
condition has existed since a yer
| fnrdar az nrffhnfnN
aware of II.
Thus a sudden plunge may caus
disturbance of the auditory orgal
The cold water rushing suddenly I'M
the cavity may fatally affect eth,
the stomach or brain. 1t follows tn
to have the stomach full when
enters the water is dangerous for Il
bather."
Physicians said here that co
water passing the hympanum mig
easily set up serious disorder
though it could not come into dire
contact with any portion Of Il
brain. The water enters a cavi
known as the eustachian tube.
the water entered in sufficient qua
titles and was sufficiently cold. It w
said, a fatal shock might easily r
suit.
"Dr. Guttlich's theory is extreme
interesting" said a local physicia
"and it is new. ] should not be wi
ing to believe that it explains q
direct cause of the majority of my
terious drownings. though I belle
the suggestion is highly Importal
A sudden quantity of water in I
inner ear might, for instance, abnc
mally accelerate heart action al
thus be the indirect cause of death.