THE EARS 269 



children's diseases, such as measles and scarlet fever. 

 The latter being especially dangerous, the slightest 

 symptoms of pain or of sounds in the ear should be 

 reported to the attending physician without delay. 

 In the case of young children who give evidence of pain, 

 but are not able to tell where it is, a finger may be 

 pressed below the auricle, and, if the pain is in the ear, 

 the fact will be made evident by the child. These 

 statements make it plain that wise protectors of the 

 ear should do all they possibly can to avoid catching 

 colds. This, in brief, means that all should make 

 abundant use of pure air and cleansing water, and 

 avoid handicapping their bodies with too much food or 

 improper clothing. 



Deafness and unusual sounds in the ear are signs 

 that the Eustachian tube may be stopped up. Some- 

 times a vigorous blowing of the nose will open the tube 

 and give relief. Where this fails, or, as in the case of 

 an infant, is impossible, a doctor should be consulted. 

 Care should be taken to test the hearing of infants 

 frequently, especially if they have had measles, scarlet 

 fever, or similar diseases, or have suffered much with 

 colds. Children who become totally deaf are likely 

 also to become dumb, for, not being able to hear others 

 speak, they never learn to talk in the ordinary way. 



Earache may often be cured by placing a hot-water 

 bag, or cloths wrung out of hot water, back of and be- 

 low the auricle. Breathing into the ear will sometimes 

 quiet a slight attack of earache, the warmth of the 



