252 THE TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



temperature, quick pulse, &c. If the inflammation pvogress matter may form in the 

 interior of the ear, the tympanic membrane may ulcerate or burst, and there ma5 

 be a considerable discharge externally. In a disease of such severity it need hardly 

 be said that energetic treatment must be resorted to. The sooner that aconite is 

 given the better. A drop of the tincture should be taken in water every ten 

 minutes for the first hour, and subsequently hourly, until the inflammation has been 

 reduced, or Pr. 38 may be employed. Hot fomentations or poultices may be em- 

 ployed externally. Should there be any discharge scrupulous cleanliness must be 

 observed. The ear should be frequently washed out, and then gently but thoroughly 

 dried. A doctor had better be called in, but no time should be lost in administering 

 aconite, for in all cases of inflammation that is our sheet-anchor. 



Perforation or Rupture of the Tympanic Membrane. This may be caused by 

 blows on the head, by boxing the ear, by violently blowing the nose, by injudicious 

 syringing, by the introduction of probes, as in attempts to remove a foreign body ; 

 by going clown in a diving-bell ; and lastly, by loud noises, such as the discharge of 

 cannon. When the rupture takes place suddenly there may be a sense of shock in 

 the ear, as if something had given way, accompanied by bleeding and deafness. In 

 many cases perforation occurs as the result of inflammation of the internal ear, 

 matter being 'discharged through the opening. It often follows scarlet fever. A 

 person whose membrane has been broken is able to force air out of the ear in 

 blowing the nose. People who in smoking can make the smoke come out of their 

 ears have met with this accident. The hole in the membrane can often be distinctly 

 seen on using the ear-speculum. When the aperture is small its situation may be 

 indicated by air-bubbles and mucus issuing from it on blowing the nose. When the 

 opening is large it gives rise to considerable deafness, but when small it may cause 

 very little inconvenience. Fortunately, much may be done in the way of treatment. 

 If inflammation still remain it must be subdued in the manner already indicated. 

 When there is much discharge, syringing with warm water should be resorted to, so 

 as to keep the parts sweet and clean. When the ground has been cleared by this 

 preparatory treatment, it is necessary to resort to more direct measures for the 

 restoration of hearing. A capital plan is to take a little bit of cotton-wool 

 moistened with water or oil, and to pass it down to the membrane so that it will 

 block up the hole. It is easy to learn how to introduce and withdraw this cotton 

 for yourself by means of a bodkin or pair of forceps, and to place it exactly in the 

 right spot. Sometimes a drop of glycerine placed in the ear temporarily closes the 

 aperture, and does as much good as anything. 



Running from the Ears. This is one of the commonest affections of the ear. 

 It, in the majority of cases, is accompanied by perforation of the tympanic mem- 

 brane. In weak, sickly children it sometimes follows an ordinary cold. It most 

 frequently results from scarlet fever, but it may come on after measles, whooping- 

 cough, or in fact any exhaustive illness. It will be found that children suffering 

 from a running at the ears frequently put their hands to them and rub them, as 

 if they felt that there was something wrong there. These children cry, too, 

 when their ears are washed, and usually they dislike being jumped or suddenly 

 moved. Often there is great pain, both on blowing the nose and on swallowing ; 



