2 5 6 



OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



At every vibration of the membrane the head of the ham- 

 mer bone strikes upon the anvil bone, drives it forward, 

 and pushes the foot plate of the stirrup bone in and out of 

 the oval window on the inner wall of the chamber. 



The waves thus formed in the watery fluid in the inner 

 ear strike against the membranous bag, and so arouse a 

 nervous impulse in the fibers of the auditory nerve. The 



nerve of hearing transmits the 

 auditory impulses from the 

 sense cells to the seat of sen- 

 sation in the brain, where they 

 are interpreted as sounds. 



352. Hints on the Care of 

 the Ear. The ear canal should 

 never be rudely or hastily 

 washed out. The utmost gen- 

 tleness in washing out the ear 



FIG. 159. Bony Internal Ear of is all that is necessary for clean- 

 liness. The ears should never 

 be pulled or boxed. Even a 

 slight blow has resulted in 

 serious trouble. 



Never use earpicks, ear 

 spoons, the ends of pencils or 

 penholders, pins, hairpins, toothpicks, towel corners, etc., 

 to*pick, scratch, or cleanse the ear canal. It is a foolish, 

 needless, and dangerous practice. 



Let the earwax take care of itself. The skin of the ear 

 grows outward, and the extra wax and dust will be naturally 

 carried out if let alone. Never drop sweet oil, glycerin, 

 or other fluids into the ear with the idea that it is made 

 cleaner by them. They often cause irritation. 



the Right Side. 



Magnified ; the upper figure of the 

 natural size. 



A, oval window ; ff, C, D, semicircular 

 canals ; * represents the bulging part 

 of each canal ; E, F, G, cochlea ; H, 

 round window. 



