Diseases of the Ear... 195 
ease RGD POLY¥PUS. 
The formation of polypus on the lining membrane of the 
external ‘meatus is not uncommon in the dog. The tumour 
usually assumes one of two forms: the soft and vascular 
situated in the anterior half of the meatus, or the full and 
fleshy (sometimes fibro- -cartilaginous), i in the lower half of 
the meatus. 
Causes. —Protracted irritation or chronic inflammation 
of the lining membrane of the meatus, or of that covering 
the tympanum. 
These tumours, when small and quiescent, are not at- 
tended with any great inconvenience ; but when they 
become irritable, and the animal, in his attempts to rid 
himself of the offending body, increases the irritability, 
they rapidly increase in size, and give rise to deafness, 
pain, giddiness, and other untoward results. 
Symptoms.—In describing the symptoms of this affec- 
tion, I cannot do better than follow the example of other 
authors, in transcribing a portion of Dr. Mercer’s paper in 
the “ Veterinarian” for 1834, on this subject : 
“ Polypi produced from the tissues of the meatus may be 
divided into two kinds: 
“First, the soft vascular and bleeding polypus, usually 
produced from the fibro-cartilaginous structure of the 
outerhalf of the tube ; and, secondly, the hard and cartila- | 
ginous polypus or excrescence produced from the lining 
membrane of its inner half. 
“ As to the first of these forms of polypi, the hematoid, 
that arise from the external soft structure of the tube, they 
may be situated in any part of its parietes, but most com- 
monly at its superior and posterior surface. In form they 
are generally pedunculated ; their surface is rough, 
irregular, and glistening, in consequence of being covered 
with a thin layer of mucus, which is often tinged with 
blood, especially when, any degree of, violence bas been 
