120 TUMEFIED FLAP OF THE EAR. 



Tumefied Flap of the Ear, 



From a similar repletion of habit, and from the same at- 

 tempts in the constitution to find an outlet to the superfluous 

 humours, or fluids ; the flap, or pendulous part of the ear, be- 

 comes not unfrequently the subject of another complaint, 

 which shews itself by a tumour, whose prominent part is 

 always on the inner side. It sometimes swells to an enor- 

 mous size, and occupies the whole of the inner surface of the 

 flap, which then presents a shining tumid mass so painfully 

 tender and weighty as to prove very distressing- to the ani- 

 mal. It is most frequently met with in those dogs whose ex- 

 ternal ears are long-, as setters, pointers, hounds, poodles, 

 and spaniels. 



Attempts at dispersing- these tumours always fail, for the 

 collections are, from the first, less phlegmonous than serous ; 

 the only mode of relief is therefore to evacuate the contents : 

 but it is too common merely to make a small opening- for this 

 purpose, which is almost certain to heal immediately, and a 

 fresh accumulation takes place of the same bloody serum. 

 The tumour ought either to be opened its full length, and a 

 pledget of lint introduced to prevent too hasty a union of 

 the outer edges of the sac ; or a seton should be introduced 

 the whole length of the swelling, which should be sufl'ered 

 to remain for a week or ten days. By this means, instead of 

 a discharge of serum, healthy matter will form in a little time, 

 the sides will granulate and unite, and, on the removal of 

 the seton, the external lips of the wound will close firmly and 

 healthily. It is, however, a necessary caution to observe, 

 that it is not prudent to open the tumour until it exhibits its 

 characteristic shining appearance with evident fluctuation. 

 The future recurrence of the complaint must be prevented, 

 by attending to the constitution as before directed. It is 

 also proper to remark, that all the affections of the flap of 

 the ear are greatly aggravated by the force with which they 

 are wrapped against the head by shaking it ; the pendulous 



