226 Diseases of the Eyes and Ears, 



head, and flaps the ears with violence, as the paroxysms 

 of pain occur. The roots of the ears are hot and painful 

 in the acute stages, and the patient is feverish ; occasion- 

 ally also some amount of brain disturbance is evident 

 in the appearance of signs not unlike those of epilepsy in 

 more advanced cases {see Mange of the Ear), having 

 their origin in disease of the internal osseous structures. 

 Simple cases have been known to be frequently rendered 

 formidable by the use of improper remedies, especially 

 caustics, one of the most common results being deafness^ 

 which is also a sequel of internal canker and absurd 

 mutilation of the ears. The needful remedies for otitis 

 will be detailed under. 



Internal Canker, which may be defined as an acute 

 inflammation of the skin which forms at the inner lining 

 of the external ear. In long-standing cases, the disease 

 is associated with External Canker (which see). The 

 early forms of derangement consist of swelling of the 

 skin, with blocking of the natural opening, by which the 

 secretion of the ceruminous glands is retained, creating 

 pain and irritation, especially from its liability to undergo 

 decomposition, forming at first a red, but soon changing 

 to a black, and offensive matter which oozes from the 

 canal. The discharge also dries on the surface of the 

 ears, induces ulceration, the formation of abscess and 

 discharge of pus. Cases aggravated by neglect exhibit 

 the formation of fungoid tumours, which block up the 

 passage, and discharge matter which accumulates among 

 the hair, and creating irritation, induces the formation 

 of ulcers over the entire face. Canker is especially a 

 disease common to dogs with long hair. The Causes 

 are, accumulation of dirt and cerumen in tlie ear, or, in 

 water dogs, the entrance of water, producing irritant and 

 cooling effects, disturbing the circulation as well as the 

 nervous power. Thus soapsuds carelessly allowed to 

 enter during washing have a similar effect. Dogs suffer- 

 ing from mange are liable to canker from extension of 

 the irritation to the organ. External canker is also a 

 further complication. 



Ti'eatment comprises perfect quiet, keeping the animal 



