THE SPECIAL SENSES 409 



rium, of the body. Through them we know in what 

 position the body. is. Even with our eyes closed, we 

 know in what direction the body is leaning and how 

 to move to balance it. 



Care of ears. Since the middle and inner ears are 

 enclosed in bone there is very little danger of injuring 

 them. By attempting to remove the ear wax from the 

 external ear injury is sometimes done to the ear drum. 

 This wax is a protection against insects entering the 

 ear. It should not be removed except with clean warm 

 water. 



In severe colds the ear may become infected by 

 germs passing up through the Eustachian tubes. This 

 sometimes causes very serious infections in the ear; in 

 the porous bones around the head ; and, in extreme cases, 

 it may extend to the brain. In any such infection a 

 physician's services are necessary. 



Questions 



1. Name seven senses. 



2. Of what use are the sense organs? 



3. Name the senses having organs located in the 

 skin. 



4. Are all parts of the skin equally' sensitive to 

 touch ? 



5. Describe the sense organs of taste. 



6. Where is the sense of smell located? 



7. If you have a cold Avhy is it difficult to taste 

 some substances? 



