DISEASES OF THE EAR. 



357 



the inflamed and the dead or dying portion, and finally the piece 

 destroyed drops off, leaving a raw healing surface. When the ear 

 is only slightly affected by the cold, an excoriation or peeling off of 

 superficial skin takes place, accompanied with some pain and itching. 

 TreatTnent. — A good liniment for frozen ears is a mixture of tur- 

 pentine, ammonia, and chloroform, of each 1 part, added to 6 parts 

 of sweet oil. Rub this on the ear several times a day. It will relieve 

 pain and stimulate the circulation, thus favoring a recovery of the 

 injured structures. 



LACERATIONS OF THE EAR. 



Aggressive dogs are the most frequent cause of lacerated ear, gen- 

 erally leaving a torn, ragged edge and bruised cartilage. 



If the wound is extensive, a trimming of the ragged edges becomes 

 necessary; then the edges should be fastened together with silver 

 wire, catgut, or strong, thick, linen thread, taking a deep hold, and 

 pine tar applied. 



DISEASE OF THE CARTILAGE AND NECROSIS. 



Occasionally the cartilages of the ear become affected, usually the 

 result of a deep bruise ; pus forms, burrows under the skin, and may 

 find a discharge from any part of the ear more or less distant from 

 the seat of the disease. When the cartilage has been extensively 

 injured, pieces of it may become dead (necrosed) and dissolve, to be 

 carried away with the pus, or it may lead to extensive sloughing and 

 the formation of numerous running sores. In the disease of the car- 

 tilage there is seldom much swelling or great pain. The discharge is 

 usually very offensive, and occasionally streaked with blood. When- 

 ever there is a long-continued, persistent discharge from one or more 

 openings in the ear, disease of the cartilage may be suspected. 



Treatment. — The sinus formed by the passage of matter should be 

 probed and searched to the bottom for the presence of a foreign sub- 

 stance or the evidence of decaying cartilage. When the probe touches 

 necrosed cartilage it will feel like a piece of dry leather or partially 

 softened wood. A counter opening must then be made at this place, 

 and all diseased cartilage cut away with the knife. The subsequent 

 treatment consists in keeping the artificial wound open for the dis- 

 charge of pus, and the injection of chlorid of zinc, 5 grains to the 

 ounce of water, once or twice a day, until the wound is healed. 



ENCHONDROMA OF THE EAR. 



This is an excessive growth of cartilage, found at the base of the 

 ear in the form of a hard, painless tumor, firmly attached to the 

 movable ear. The only recourse for its removal is the laiife in the 

 hands of one acquainted with the anatomy of the part involved in 

 the operation. 



