98 DISEASES OF THE EAR DEAFNESS. 



DISEASES OF THE EAR. 



Wounds of the ear are usually the consequence of careless oi 

 brutal treatment — often of the application of the twitch or the 

 pliers. These bruises or wounds will generally speedily heal : 

 but sinuses and abscesses are sometimes the result. A simple 

 laceration of the cartilage is easily remedied. The divided 

 edges are brought together, the head tied up closely a few days, 

 and all is well ; but where ulceration of the skin and subja- 

 cent parts, and caries of the cartilage take place, deep sinuses 

 will be formed, and the wound will bid defiance to medical 

 treatment. I had a case of this kind under my care for more 

 than two months, and finally had to cut off the ear. The 

 lunar caustic, or the muriate of antimony, or the heated iron, 

 must be early employed, or all labor will be in vain. 



I have seen two cases where the auditory passage was closed, 

 and the hearing destroyed — ^the result of violent blows. When 

 there is swelling about the root of the ear and the fluctuation 

 of a fluid within can be detected, it should be opened with a 

 lancet, and the purulent fluid liberated. The incision should be 

 of considerable length, or the opening will soon close. It should 

 not be permitted to close until the abscess is obliterated. 



The size and carrymg of the ear may be changed. The first 

 is done by clipping them to the requisite size. If they hang 

 down too much, a fold of the skin is pinched up and cut away, 

 on either side of the occipital bone, and in a straight line for 

 ward and backward. The divided edges are then brought to- 

 gether, confined by two or three stitches, and they presently 

 unite. If the ears are too close together, this fault may be cor- 

 rected by another piece of cruelty. Similar slips of skin are 

 cut away on the outside base of the ear, and in the same direc- 

 tion. The edges of the woimd are then brought together, con- 

 fir ed by stitches, and the ears are drawn further apart from each 

 other, and have different directions given to them. A very 

 slight examination of either of the horses wiU readily detect the 

 imposition. 



DEAFNESS. 



Of the occasional existence of this in the horse, there is no 

 doubt. The beautiful play of the ears has ceased, and the 

 horse hears not the voice of his master, or the sound of the 

 whip. Much of the apparent stupidity of a few horses is at- 

 tributable to their imperfect hearing. It is the result of certain 

 diseases, blows, and, as in other domesticated animals, is the 

 certain accompaniment of old age. It is incurable. 



