THMEFTED FLAP OF THE EAR. 285 



In some cases the sublimate has proved more efficacious in the 

 form of a wash, six grains being dissolved in four ounces of water. 

 Strong astringent lotions are sometimes useful, as alum dissolved 

 in a decoction of oak bark. When the disease proves very obsti- 

 nate, excision must be resorted to, taking care that the whole, not 

 only of the immediate cracked part but also of its tumefied edges, 

 are included in the operation. Should all outward applications 

 fail, round the ear or ears deeply. In fact, it is good policy to 

 round even the healthy ear, should one remain. 



TUMEFIED FLAP OF THE EAR. 



From a similar repletion of habit, and from the same attempts 

 in the constitution to find an outlet to the superflous humours or 

 fluids, the flap or pendulous part of the ear becomes not unfre- 

 quently the subject of another complaint, which shews itself by a 

 tumour, whose prominent part is always on the inner side. It 

 sometimes swells to an enormous size, and occupies the whole of 

 the inner surface of the flap, which then presents a shining tumid 

 mass, so painfully tender and weighty as to prove very distressing 

 to the animal. It is more frequently met with in dogs with long 

 ears, as setters, pointers, hounds, poodles, and spaniels, than in any 

 others. Attempts at dispersing these tumours always fail ; for 

 the collections are, from the first, less phlegmonous than serous ; 

 the only mode of relief is therefore to evacuate the contents : but 

 it is too common merely to make a small opening for this purpose, 

 which is almost certain to heal immediately, and a fresh accumu- 

 lation takes place of the same bloody serum. The tumour ought 

 either to be opened its full length, and a pledget of lint introduced 

 to prevent too hasty an union of the outer edges of the sac, or a 

 seton should be introduced embracing the whole of the tumour, 

 which should be suffered to remain for a week or ten days. By 

 this means, instead of a discharge of serum, healthy matter will 

 form in a little time ; the sides will granulate and unite, and, on 

 the removal of the seton, the external lips of the wound will close 



