Common Ailments. iii 



the digestive organs, which induces inflam- 

 mation that extends to the very sensitive 

 membrane of the ear, and if not soon re- 

 Heved it will result in ulceration or canker. 

 Some writers, for whose opinions I have 

 the greatest respect, are skeptical regard- 

 ing the theory that improper diet causes 

 this complaint, and attribute its presence to 

 other causes, laying great stress upon the 

 fact that the disease appears to be heredi- 

 tary, and that a tendency to it at least is 

 transmitted In some famihes from genera- 

 tion to generation. While admitting the 

 truth of this — as my experience corrob- 

 orates it — I must, in the absence of proof 

 to the contrary, be allowed the belief that, 

 as there must have been a starting point 

 somewhere, improper diet was that starting 

 point in a very large percentage of Instances. 

 Blows on the head, foreign substances, 

 hardened secretions of wax, filthy kennels, 

 and other causes have a share In producing 

 the disease. 



