igo THE MANAdEMENT AND DISEASES OF THE DOG. 



fleshy (sometimes fibro-cartilaginous), 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 tumors, when small and quiescent, are not attended 

 with any great inconvenience ; but when they become irri- 

 table, 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 affection, 

 I cannot do better than follow the example of other authors, in 

 transcribing a portion of Dr. Mercer's paper in the " Veterina- 

 rian " for 1844, 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 outer 

 half of the tube ; and, secondly, the hard and cartilaginous 

 polypus or excrescence produced from the lining membrane 

 of its inner half. 



" As to the first of these forms of polypi, the haematoid, that 

 arise from the external soft structure of the tube, they may 

 be situated m any part of its parietes, but most commonly at 

 its superior and posterior surface. In form they are generally 

 pedunculated ; their surface is rough, irregular, and glisten- 

 ing, in consequence of being covered with a thin layer of 

 mucus, which is often tinged with blood, especially when any 

 degree of violence has been applied to the external ear, and 

 which has also been exerted upon the tumor. When the 

 tumor becomes protruded externally, it has a blood-red and 

 pulpy appearance, and its isensibility is so great that any ma- 

 nipulation of the concha, so as to investigate the condition of 

 the external meatus, is attended with great pain, and is also 

 often followed with considerable basmorrhage. 



