DISEASES OF THE EAR. 



Serous Cyst. 

 [Othoematoma ; JScematoma.) 



By this term we meaa a blood or lymphatic excretion lying 

 between the skin and cartilage of the ear, and forming a tumor 

 in the external or internal part of the lobe. It generally occurs 

 on the inside. This swelling is fluctuating, and when the skin of 

 the animal is white it may. have a bluish coloration. 



Etiology. This condition is probably due to some irritation 

 or traumatic cause — for instance, by striking the ear against the 

 collar or muzzle, pulling the ear, concussions, and injuries through 

 biting. It is always seen in the lobe of the ear. If the sac is 

 not emptied, after a few weeks the secretion is reabsorbed and it 

 may leave quite a thickening and even malformation of the exter- 

 nal ear. In some cases when the fluid suppurates it makes a 

 perforation of the skin internally; this, however, is very rare. 



Clinical Symptoms and Prognosis. The swelling, as a 

 rule, is on the internal part of the ear. The lobe, which generally 

 hangs downward, is pushed upward in a peculiar manner. The 

 swelling is hard, and in white animals it has a blue color. It is 

 very sensitive to pressure and shows distinct fluctuation. The 

 animal carries its head in an oblique manner, the affected ear 

 being held downward, and the fact that it gives the dog more or 

 less pain is indicated by the careful way that the animal shakes its 

 head or scratches its ear. 



The prognosis is favorable provided proper treatment is applied, 

 although it may take some time before they are entirely cured. 



In many cases where no dressing is applied, we may have as a 

 sequence a slight thickening of the lobe of the ear. This, how- 

 ever, is of very little importance. 



Therapeutic Treatment. The methods of treatment which 

 the author considers advisable are as follows: 



1. We perforate the swelling with a large-sized hypodermatic 



(375) 



