DISEASES OF THE EAR. 251 



proves more successful. If the inflammation is great and the weeping abundant, 

 the rash must be constantly covered with rags soaked in the lotion. In some 

 cases it is usefid to apply a poultice at night and the lotion during the day. The 

 stronger lotion is especially useful when there is no weeping, but itching and 

 tingling are prominent symptoms. The part should be sponged with the lotion 

 several times a day. 



In the acute stage, too, frequent bathing with warm water proves peculiarly 

 grateful, allaying inflammation and itching. Rain or boiled water should be used, 

 or the water may be made more soothing by the addition of a small piece of 

 common washing soda, or a little gelatin, bran, or potato-starch. The part must 

 be dabbed dry with a soft towel. When the part is highly inflamed, red, and 

 swollen, linseed-meal poultices applied hot, and removed as soon as they become 

 cool, do much to alleviate pain. 



Lime-water is a nice soothing application, and will do much to ease smarting 

 and tingling ; it is especially useful when there is an abundant discharge. When 

 the inflammation has been subdued, an equal quantity of glycerine may be added to 

 the lime-water. 



In more chronic cases zinc ointment proves useful. It is a mild stimulating 

 application, and may be employed when, inflammation having subsided, the raw 

 surface is left in an indolent condition, with very little disposition to heal. When 

 there is but little inflammation carbolic acid ointment, made with ten minims of the 

 acid to an ounce of lard, moderates the weeping and allays the tingling and itching. 

 Petroleum soap, coal-tar soap, and carbolic soap, are useful in very chronic cases. 

 As these soaps are made of different strengths, if one kind proves too strong and 

 irritating, a milder form may be substituted. 



The passage of the ear will have to be syringed out with warm water. When 

 there is much active inflammation going on this may have to be done almost hourly, 

 but in more chronic cases twice or thrice daily will suffice. It always allays itching, 

 and usually proves very grateful. The ear speculum will have to be employed to 

 see what progress is being made. The use of warm water alone will sometimes 

 cure most obstinate cases of inflammation of the canal that have existed for years. 



So far we have recommended only local applications, but there are several 

 remedies which do good when taken internally. One of the best of these is arsenic 

 (Pr. 40). It is useful in very chronic cases. Rhus toxicodendron is regarded by 

 many as almost a specific for this complaint. Its use is especially indicated wheo 

 there is much itching, which is worse at night. When there is marked constitu- 

 tional weakness it will be necessary to give remedies directed to the improvement 

 of the general health, such, for instance, as cod-liver oil, iron and quinine. 



Inflammation of the Internal Ear. This may arise from exposure to currents of 

 cold air, sea-bathing, violent syringing, probing, or other similar causes. It not 

 unfreqv?ntly follows an attack of fever, especially scarlatina. It occurs most 

 frequently in weak, neglected, or unhealthy children. The symptoms are sudden 

 and intense pain in the ear, increased by coughing, sneezing, or swallowing ; a 

 feeling of fulness in the ear ; tenderness and soreness in its vicinity ; noises in the 

 head ; deafness either partial or complete ; a high fevei , indicated by elevation of 



