Diseases of the Ear. 191 



■continually scratching them. If this is left unchecked, the 

 amount of irritation produced on the inflamed part gives 

 rise to a serous exudation along the margin of the flap, and 

 ulceration quickly follows, leaving a thickened irregular 

 crusted edge. 



Treatment. — Immediately symptoms of canker are ob- 

 served, a dose of aperient medicine should be administered, 

 and warm fomentations applied to the part. Where exuda- 

 tion has taken place, all extraneous matter should be gently 

 removed with warm water, and mild astringents applied to 

 the sore surface. The following is a useful lotion : — 



Alum S grains. 



Vinegar i drachm. 



Aqua I ounce. 



To be applied twice or three times a day. Or a drachm 

 ■of oxide of zinc to an ounce of vaseline may be used with 

 benefit. 



When the case will not yield to this treatment, and when 

 ulcers have formed, and show a tendency to spread, I find 

 •occasionally touching the parts with nitrate of silver after 

 washing is of great service; and when the eschar is detached 

 either of the following lotions may be applied with a camel- 

 hair brush : — 



Tinct. Myrrh Co ) , 



™. . » -^ . . > equal parts. 

 Tmct. Arnica J ^ ^ 



or, 



Tinct. Ferri Mur i drachm. 



Acid Carbolic 5 minims. 



Aqua I ounce. 



In obstinate cases, when the cartilage becomes diseased, 

 and remains, in spite of all that can be done, persistently 

 so, it will be advisable to remove that portion of the flap 

 -beyond the line of disease ; but only in an extreme case 

 should this be done. If simply thickened, painting with 

 iodine will suffice. 



