mm*

OF THE EAR.

2SO

night; he should likewise take some gentle purges, and keep liis feetwarm, and bath them frequently in lukewarm water at bed-time. Whendeafness is the effect of a fever, it generally goes off after the patient recovers. If it proceeds from dry wax sticking in the ears, it may beoftened by dropping oil into them ; afterwards they must be syringedi vith warm milk and water.

If deafness proceeds from dryness of the ears, which may be knownby looking into them, half an ounce of the oil of sweet almonds, and thesame quantity of the compound soap liniment, commonly called liquidopodeldoc, or the tincture of asafoetida, may be mixed together. Ortake oil of almonds three drachms, water of ammonia one drachm;mix them for use. A ffw drops of this or the former mixture may beput into the ear every night at bed-time, stopping them afterwards witha Fittle wool or cotton. Sneezing powders may then be serviceable.Some, instead of oil, put a small slice of the fat of bacon into each ear,which we have known fo answer the purpose very well. When the earsabound with moisture, it may be drained off by an issue or scton, whichshould be made as near the affected parts as possible.

Some, for the cure of deafness, recommend the gall of an eel mixedwith spirit of wine, to be dropped into the ear; others, equal parts ofHungary-water and spirits of lavender. Etmuller extols amber andmusk ; and Brookes says, he has often known hardness of hearing curedby putting a grain or two of musk into the ear with cotton-wool. Butthese and other applications must be varied according to the cause ofthe disorder.

Though such applications may sometimes be of service, yet theyi"uch oftener fail. Neither the eyes nor ears ought to be tamperedwith ; they are tender organs, and require a very delicate touch. Forthis reason, what we would chiefly recommend in deafness is, to keepthe head warm. From whatever cause the disorder proceeds, this is al-ways proper; and perhaps more benefit is derived from it alone, in themost obstinate cases of deafness, than from all the medicines usuallyemployed for the cure of deafness.

Dr. Horsely, well known fifty years ago in the northern counties fornis success in expelling the various species of worms from the humanoody, lived to a great age : he frequently washed his ears with his ownurine, poured warm from a proper vessel; putting in them every nightand morning during the latter years of his life, a bit of wool well moist-ened with the same fluid. Dr. Horsley frequently recommended thispractice to others, and the Editor has often known it restore the secre-tion to the auditory organs, after the patient had long been without it.We have seen some instances of deafness cured, and also a few instancesof aged persons recovering their hearing by electricity, wearing salt intheir ears for a fortnight or three weeks. Perhaps a strong watery solu«tion of salt merits a preference.

In cases of simple puriform discharge from the tympanum of the ear,weak injections, either of vitriolated zinc or of acetated ceruse, areoeneficial; and in aid of topical applications, blisters and even setonscan never be injurious, but they may often conduce to the cure.