The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-07-06
EAR TROUBLES i
FORCE AIRMEN
TO QUIT JOBS
Many Have to Give Up Ser
vice on Account of Lack
of Adaptability.


DR.. Castex of Paris has investigated
the ear disturbances of aviators and
reported his findings to the Societe de
Medicine de Paris. A translation of a
part of his paper and of the discus
sion which followed appears in the
current issue The Medical Record. 1t
reads in part:
HE has had unusual opportunities
for the examination of aviators at the
Villemin Military hospital. From the
outset of the war the airmen present.
ed sufficient anomalies of this charac-
ter to bring about systematic lnves-
tigation with especial regard to pro-
phylaxis. The subjective sensations
on ascending and descending were re-
corded. At the very start air could
be felt in the ears, and at about 1900
meters the latter felt as if completely
oocluded. If now the mouth was
opened there was sensation OF a
valve opening in the bottom of the
ear. The nose became insufficient for
respiration, and the majority of av1a-
tors were compelled to open their
mouths.
when the altimeter marked 1000
meters the aviator appeared to have
regained his normal poise, partly be.
cause at this height there is no longer
any wind In the descent the Same
phenomena occur with increased in
tensity. In some cases the aviator
no longer hears his motor. By making
an effort to close the nostrils and
mouth every 20 or 800 meters, or
merely yawning. the aviator avoids
certain burdensome sensations. such
as heaviness of the mead and con-
striction or swelling in the fauces
(throat). After landing one still hears
the motor for a variable period. Some
times the heavy feeling in the head,
the ringing in the ears, and even au-
topony may persist for four or five
| minutes Vertigo is uncommon. Some
aviators were made temporarily deaf
"a sub-fieut who complained, or
his ears after landing showed conges-
ton of both membranes, which had
led in one locality to a small eec1ly-
mosis, Chemorrhage under the sk.n)
It was remarked that the higher the
flight the more severe were the symp-
toms Thus one man had flown at low
heights for years without experiencing
any auditory troubles. Upon flying
4 900 meters high the latter at once SUI
lpervened. In aviators with old ear
trouble the symptoms ARE aggravated.
The ears may bleed in the first case,
and with sclerosis hardening due to
inflammation) the subjective landing
sounds persist for a long time. In
few instances the condition becomes
permanent and flying must be aban-
doned. These phenomena may he ag-
gravated when extra effort is required
Thus avtators who have been free
from ear troubles in single motor ma
chimes have begun to complain as Soor
las transferred to one with a double
lmotor
1.-The author seeks to explain these
phenomena as follows: As the f1de1
ascends, the air pressure becomes les:
and the internal pressure in tympanun
land tube exceeds that of the atmos
Iphere. In descending conditions are
reversed. Changes within the blood
vessels doubtless correspond to thos'
lin the air-containing structures. II
g somewhat sclerosed tynnpanum il
which the normal elasticity has beer
injured, the return to normal condi
lions is more or less delayed.
ITO remedy this state of affairs mus
every aviator have perfect ears? TIL
Iauthor is far from advocating sucl
rigor. Men are today doing Nexcellen
Z service as fiers who have undergon.
repeated attacks of transient deaf
ness. AN aviator with a. certain de
gree OF commotion of the labyrinth
from shell shock Is still flying, as i
another with a suppurating left ear
1T is we'll to insist that the nasal pas
sages are in the best possible condi
ton, amid hyperthophies and spurs re
quire operative removal Cotton worl
in the ear is useless and even danger
Gus. After landing, the aviator shout,
always rest for Is or 80 minutes.
"a considerable discussion followe,
the reading of the paper. The author
r in response to a query, stated tina
immunity above the height of 400
meters was due to adaptation. On
J might compare it to the second win
81 OF a runner. Comparisons were mad
between. the effects of aviation an
7 those of mountain climbing. On bot
:, fatigue acts as a synergist Gan add t
t rariaed air. There is a notable diff
r ference between flying and balloon as
{ cent, because in the latter fatigue ca
: he eliminated. In aviation fatigue ca.
. antagonize adaptation.
> Nhe part played by the circulator
, disturbances is an unknown factol
= For some, failure of the blood to adap
+ itself is held to he the better expla
nation of some Of the disorders, S
s. far, at least, as COMPOSITIONS are con
cerned. Under such circumstance
the gas Interchange Is disturbed wit
possible retention of carbonic acid. I
. mountain climbing these congestion
occur until a certain height is reach
, ed, when adaptation of pressures
complete. Mountain climbers suffe
= as a rule only from physical fatigue
aviators from both physical and mel
vo11s strain"
8