THE EARS 273 



ous condition of the ears is often not realized until it 

 is too late for much relief. 



There have been discovered many cases of stupid and 

 disorderly pupils who, when the cause of deafness had 

 been removed, became bright and intelligent. Having 

 only partially heard, they could not fully understand, 

 and hence seemed to be stupid and unruly. Not real- 

 izing that they were not hearing as well as others, they 

 did not know that the help of a physician should be 

 sought. This emphasizes the importance of testing the 

 ears of school children. Both wasted time and much 

 unhappiness may be saved by such tests. 



But suppose we are attending schools where ear tests 

 are not given, how may we find out whether our hearing 

 is defective ? The low-spoken voice should be heard at 

 a distance of twenty feet. A watch having a loud tick 

 may usually be heard about three feet, and one with a 

 low tick from twelve to fifteen inches. All such tests 

 should be made with one ear, while the other is covered. 

 If the ear fails to hear these sounds, or if for any other 

 reason we think our hearing is not normal, there 

 should be no delay in consulting an aurist. 



Frequent earache, pus or odor from the ear, con- 

 tinued roaring or other unusual sounds in the ear, are 

 all dangerous warnings that should never be long un- 

 heeded. Inability to breathe through both nostrils is 

 also a sign that the advice of an expert should be 

 sought. When attended to in time by one who is 

 competent, these often do not result in permanent 



