DISEASES OF THE EAR. 301 



times a day is a good nictliod of counter-irritation. When 

 the acute stage is past and there is an abundant discharge, 

 the treatment should be as for canker, though the powders 

 referred to, carefully blown in, are even more needed than 

 in canker. Constitutional treatment is also imperative in 

 many cases. 



When very chronic, the internal ear itself may become 

 affected, though this is fortunately rare. 



The disease, unless checked, will lead to the loss of the 

 small bones, perforation of the drum-head (very common), 

 and considerable deafness. 



Deafness, to a certain extent, as a result of the last dis- 

 ease, is almost sure to be present, though not always readi- 

 ly observed. Old dogs, whose powers are all failing, are 

 more or less deaf also, though less frequently than old 

 men. There is a tendency in all white dogs, as bull terri- 

 ers, to congenital deafness. A dog may be deaf in only 

 one ear, but when born deaf usually both ears are defect- 

 ive. In testing for deafness the trials should be so con- 

 ducted that the dog may not be able to perceive actual 

 concussion of the earth, waf tings of the air, or notice other 

 signs which might attract his attention through sight or 

 smell. It is well to make comparative tests on other dogs 

 at the same time under the same circumstances. Deafness 

 may be due to accumulations of dirt, wax, or both together, 

 in the ears. After this has been softened by dropping oil 

 into the ears for a couple of days, they should be well 

 syringed with warm soap-suds. 



Polypus of the ear is apt to arise from long-continued 

 discharges from the ear, the result of inflammation {ptor- 

 rhma). When a discharge does not yield in a moderate 



