438 DISEASES OF THE EAR 



I^. Bismuth subgallate, "3.0 



Amyl nitrite, 



Talc, aa G.O 



Sig. — Twice daily. 



I^. Phenyl salicylate, 2.0 



M. F. Spts. vini rect., 80.0 



Sig. — Put a small jjortion in the ear once daily. 



Hoffmann states that in a very obstinate case he excised the entire 

 lower region of the meatus, introduced a drainaoe-tulie, and treated the 

 Avound ^vith disinfecting powder. 



Deafness, Partial or Complete. 



External otitis may sometimes produce either partial or entire 

 deafness. Both of these conditions are clue to the entire closure of the 

 external auditory canal either by swelling and filling up with granulations 

 or by polypus formations, collections of wax, etc., and more rarely liy 

 extension of the inflannnatory process in the middle ear, destroying the 

 tympanic meml)rane, or up the Eustachian tube from the pharynx or 

 inflammation of the lal)yrinth, or paralysis of the auditory nerve, as 

 well as certain pathological processes in the cranium, and as a result of 

 certain infectious diseases, particularly distemper. Of course, any dis- 

 turbance of the sense of hearing or entire deafness which comes from old 

 age or is hereditary will not show any of the symptoms already described. 

 Breeding a pure white-coated dog may produce a congenital deafness. 

 This is particularly seen in bull terrier puppies; in certain strains of 

 this breed it is a conmion occurrence. The examination generally showed 

 atrophy of the auditory nerve. When a dog is getting deaf he changes 

 his manner very much. He seems strange, does not answer to the call 

 of his master. In certain cases, when an animal is deaf, the loudest call 

 has no effect on him, but a slight blow on the floor immediately attracts 

 his attention. This should be carefully noticed, as certain kennel men, 

 when a dog is protested at a bench show, know this and when they call 

 on their dog at the same time they give a sharp tap on the floor with 

 their heel, which immediately attracts the dog's attention. 



When dogs are ])orn deaf they either do not attempt to bark or, if 

 they do, it is a peculiar cry more like a howl. 



As a general rule there is very little result from treatment. Where 

 deafness is due to paralysis of the auditory nerve, the administration of 

 strychnine or the faradic current should be tried. Treatment in con- 

 genital deafness is hopeless. Where thei'e is a contraction of the external 

 meatus, we may try to dilate it b}- means of the introduction into the 

 canal of cylindrical compressed tampon sponges. 



