328 Descents in a Diving Bell. 
vals found a passage through it, and he obtained relief. Through the 
left Eustachian tube no-air had yet passed and the pain in the left ear 
was gradually increasing, when about fourteen feet under water, the 
sensation was as if a stick was forced into the ear from without: at last, 
during one of the exertions to open the mouth of the tube on that 
side, the air forced its way in with considerable violence through it, 
and he was relieved from the pain also on that side. I presume the 
“shock” experienced by the Portsmouth divers, arose from the rush- 
ing of the air into and through the tubes, as it took place immediately 
preceding their obtaining relief from the pain in their ears. It ma 
be useful to state, that this pain will be much diminished, if the bell 
be allowed to descend slowly, so as to admit the air gradually into 
the ear. In ascending, Dr. Hamel says the pain returned, resulting 
from the air in the inner cavity of the ear expanding, as the external 
pressure was diminished ; but it was more easily relieved, the air 
gushing occasionally from the ear through the Eustachian tubes into 
the mouth. 
Dr. H. suggests the probubllity of the diving bell being used with 
success for the cure of deafness in those cases where it depends on 
an obstruction of the Eustachian tube. The patient would have to go 
down in a diving bell, and make exertions to open the mouths of the 
Eustachian tubes, and then by the pressure of the condensed air, it 
would be forced through the extent of the tube, and thus clear the 
passage. He thinks that the fact of such slight obstructions having 
been frequently removed, by forcing air or tobacco smoke from the 
mouth into the ear, gives weight to the idea: but it is questionable 
whether the deaf person would be able to bear the great pain which 
it is reasonable to suppose he must endure from the condensation of the 
air on the tympanum, until the removal of the obstruction: and his 
sufferings might be so great as to deprive him temporarily of his pre- 
sence of mind, and: even of his senses. The experiment ought not 
therefore to be made, unless another person enjoying his hearing ac- 
companied the patient. I have more well grounded confidence in 
syringing the ears with warm milk and water, to remove hardened 
wax. The relief experienced by Mr. Clifford from the rheumatism, 
‘after his diving, is well worth consideration by the faculty. 
_ Dr. H. descended at Howth near Dublin, to make himself acquain- 
ted with the manner in which the diving belf for constructing the ma- 
son work under water is used ; and says, that the bell was six feet long by : 
four wide, and six feet high, 
oO 
