The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-03-25
INHERITED PROGRESSIVE
DEAFNESS

Otosclerosis is the medical term un.
happily applied to q form Of deafness
that seems to be hereditary In many
cases and constitutes at least one
fourth Of all cases of deafness devel.
oping in youth or adult life.
It becomes obvious when one has
heard what the authorities have to
say about this condition that no one
knows much about its cause or Its
Here are a few general
observations made by biologists who
have seen many cases and studied
some OF them.
The deafness develops first at the
age of 80 or Whereabouts in most
cases. Women are more commonly at
fected than men. The history Of
other cases of progressive deafness In
the family Is noted in nearly half OF
the cases. TinnituS 01ead noises) and
some dizziness OF vertigo Is complained
of in third of the cases.
There is no Inflammation Of the
ear structures. The condition is purely
a nutritional change, akin to ricketts,.
Perhaps this is the reason why we
know so little about the treatment Of
From the general con-
sensus of biologists who have had
much experience with the condition
It would seem that the less local
Of the ear or adjacent
structures the better. OF course there
is even greater urgency to remove or
disinfect a focus of infection II the
examination reveals evidence Of q
septic focus, than there would be IN
the ordinary circumstance. But the
greatest promise of benefit from
treatment lies in efforts to improve
the general hygiene, the patients ways
of life, the habits, and in providing
the most favorable factors for nu-
triton.
Vitamin A is especially important
for persons with otosclerosis. It Is
well worth while for any such sur
ferer to take ration Of cod liver oil
tor q season, to see whether it will
not do good in one way or another
delay progress Of the deafness. even
improve the hearing, or relieve the
distress from tinnitus or giddiness.
For the same reason, to get more Wit
amin A, otosclerosis patients should
include these items in the daily die
tary: Raw milk. cream, butter, egg
yolk, carrots, oranges, bananas, let
tuce. watercress. celery leaves. radish
tops and green onion tops. In cooked
foods, sweet potatoes, yellow turnips,
squash, pumpkin, spinach, yellow corn.
liver, kidney and sweetbreads retain
some Vitamin A. though prolonged
cooking destroys the vitamin.
Otosclerosis victims must overcome
all weather or air phobia and take
advantage Of every opportunity for
outdoor life, for the influence Of the
fresh air and sunlight, the ultra
violet. favors normal nutrition too.
They should bear clearly in mind that
their deafness or ear trouble is un-
like the inflammatory troubles due to
infections, and hence they cannot be
guided by the notions of such per-
sons about exposure to cold or wet.
Any and all weathers or seasons are
tonic, and that is what the otosclero-
sis victim needs.
l have just q bunch, perhaps moth.
ing to it, that q suitable iodin ration
is especially good for one With oto-
sclerosis. and I believe II viii do nc
one any harm In any case - send 4
stamped envelope bearing your 3D.
dress and ask for instructions for TAX
ing the Iodin Ration.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Too Many Old Fogjes Like This
From time to time have seen ref
erence made to the use Of insulin fo1
inducing an increase In weight
Where can obtain information con-
corning such treatment, or better
where can find . physician who
gives this treatment? My physician
Is not in favor Of it, use, but be-
lieve he has had no experience In thu
use Of insulin except for diabetes
q. N. RI
Answer-Any competent physician
can administer insulin to help a
underweight individual gain weight
The old fogies are generally diffident
about these new methods.
Mature Provides . 0pAfe
! am 20 years old. was born with
cryptorchidism on one side. This NJ