DISEASES OF THE EAR. 16G 



wanii water, or soap and water, and the application of a weak solu- 

 tion of Goulard, while much inflammation remains, and of a still 

 weaker solution of alum, when the inflammation has subsided. 



Simple inflammation of the ear is a rare disease in cattle. It is 

 recognized by the animal carrying his head a little on one side ; this 

 is plainly referable to the ear from the heat and tenderness of its 

 base both within and without, and a kind of immobility of the ear, 

 resulting from the pain which the animal suffers in moving it. Bleed- 

 ing from the neck vein, a dose of physic, and fomentation of the 

 part, will usually give relief ; and afterwards a lotion composed of a 

 drachm of the extract of lead and the same of laudanum added to 

 four ounces of water : a little of this may be poured into the ear, 

 and the ear gently squeezed so that th-^ lotion shall find its way to 

 every part of it. 



Sometimes the beast is much annoyed by an itching of the ear. 

 A dry scurfiness spreads over a greater or less part of the skin of 

 the inside of the ear. A healing ointment will aflford the most ready 

 cure. A little must be gently but well rubbed into the inside of the 

 ear, until the scuify skin is softened, and be repeated daily. The 

 ointment is thus composed : — melt together four pounds of lard, and 

 one of common resin ; set them by to cool, and when they begin to 

 thicken, stir in one pound of calamine powder, inibbed down to a 

 state of the greatest possible fineness. In a very few instances a 

 collection of fluid will appear between the cartilage and the inner 

 skin of the ear. The tumor must be opened from end to end. 

 Still more rarely fungous granulations spring up from the base of 

 the ear. They must be cut down Avith a knife. Kitrate of silver 

 must then be applied over the exposed surface, and an alum wash, 

 not too strong, afterwards used. 



Homoccpathic Treatment. — If there be a foreign body in the ear, it 

 should be removed, and arnica water be injected with asmall syringe. 

 ]f insects are the cause, a little oil is to be poured into the ear. If 

 the inflammation, from being neglected, has passed into suppuration, 

 pus is the best topical application : elaborated by the vital force in 

 the wound, it serves chiefly to disintegrate the particles which have 

 been contused or otherwise injured, to efi'ect the expulsion of foreign 

 bodies, such as splinters, &c., and to dispose the edges of tlie wound 

 to unite by means of fleshy granulations. It is a great mistake then 

 to remove it ; it diminishes of itself as the granulations acquire suf- 

 ficient consistence to form the tissue of a cicatrix. To fulfill its des- 

 tination, it must be of good quality. Where its quality or characters 

 are not such as they should be, tliere only art should interfere, as 

 well to facilitate the cure of the wound itself as to secure and pre- 

 serve the adjoining parts. The means to which we are to have 

 recourse are : arnica, internally and externally, in wounds, &c., of 

 every kind ; mercurius vivus and asafoetida, in ulcers which secrete 



