DISEASES OF THE EAR. 567 



applications, such as fomentations to the part, weak solu- 

 tions of acetate of lead and opium applied warm (poured, not 

 injected) to the ears. A purgative should be administered in the 

 first stages, and the animal kept on a cooling diet for a few days. 



This method of treatment will generally afford relief; but 

 should the disease continue, a stronger astringent is to be 

 applied, or it may be necessary to stimulate the part to healthy 

 action by the nitrate of silver, of the strength of five grains to 

 the ounce of water. As an astringent, a solution of the ter- 

 chloride of iron is a very effectual one, and it may be necessary 

 to inject it with a syringe: however, great caution must be 

 exercised, and violent remedies avoided, if possible, in the 

 treatment of what is already a painful affection. If this caution 

 is not exercised, much suffering is inflicted upon a dumb beast, 

 and a tractable disease rendered incurable. If the dog be in a 

 debilitated condition, either from the long continuance of the 

 disease, or want of proper diet and attention, he must be sup- 

 ported with good food, and stimulated with tonics, the sulphate 

 of quinine more particularly. 



In those painful forms where acute otitis exists with febrile 

 disturbance, great restlessness; and the animal often howUng 

 with pain, rubbing his ears and head with his paws, and 

 evidencing signs of much irritability, the general and local 

 treatment must be of an active kind ; continual fomentations with 

 warm water, or a decoction of poppies must be prescribed ; a 

 seton inserted behind the ear, and, in addition to a brisk 

 cathartic, small and repeated doses of the tincture of aconite, or 

 a solution of morphia, are to be administered. 



When the cause is constitutional, the general health of the 

 dog must be attended to, and in some cases I have found it 

 necessary to prescribe a continuance of tonic alteratives, such as 

 the liquor arsenicalis, with an occasional aperient. 



EXTERNAL CANKER. 



This is an abraded or wounded condition of the tip of the 

 ear, arising from accidental injury, or from the dog, especially a 

 water dog, violently shaking his head and ears. Earely is this 

 affection found in any but long-eared dogs, and in them, owing to 

 the habit of shaking the head, it is almost an incurable disease. 



