20I0 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE 



Ocular Glenosporosis. 



So far, only one case in the cornea is recorded. It was found in 1910 by 

 Morax. 



Ocular Sporotrichosis. 



Sporotrichal infection of the eyehds, conjunctiva, lachrymal sac, and iris 

 have been recorded, but are as yet rare. The first case was found in 1905 

 by Danlos and Blanc, the second case in 1908, the third in 1909. Four cases 

 were recorded in 19 10, and three in 191 1, and several in 191 2. 



DISEASES OF THE EAR. 



The diseases of the ear in the tropics require more attention 

 than has hitherto been bestowed upon them. The majority are 

 beHeved to resemble those found in the Temperate Zone. A few 

 remarks will be offered with regard to the diseases of the auricle, 

 of the external auditory meatus, and with regard to ear complica- 

 tions in tropical diseases. 



The Auricle. 



Deformities of the lobule are common among Indian girls and 

 women, who drag the lobule into a long, pendulous loop by means of 

 heavy golden ornaments, or, failing these, by pieces of other metals 

 or even wood. A similar condition is reported by Castellani, 

 Bland-Sutton, and others, as occurring among the Masai and the 

 Kikuyu people of East Africa. 



Nepaul Tumour. — In 1833, Campbell, and in 1835, Bramley, drew 

 attention to a peculiar disease of the skin of the auricle which was 

 endemic in the village of Nilkantha, situate in one of the Nepaul 

 valleys, at the foot of the Sheopuri Hills. The disease begins as a 

 small firm swelling of the skin on the external aspect of the auricle, 

 which is elastic to the touch, and which increases until it reaches 

 the size of a pigeon's egg in four to eight weeks. It is adherent 

 to the subcutaneous tissues, but is slightly movable. If it grows 

 rapidly, the superjacent skin becomes bluish, and a painful feeling of 

 tension is produced. If the swelling is punctured, a thick whitish 

 fluid exudes. It grows until it reaches the size of an orange or of a 

 child's head, and it may attain such a size that it reaches to the 

 patient's shoulder. After a time its contents soften and become 

 absorbed, while the sac of the tumour shrinks, leaving the ear 

 much thickened and shapeless. Usually both ears are affected, 

 and sometimes a succession of tumours, one after the other, may 

 take place. The causation is unknown. It is more common in 

 women than in men. Campbell thinks that it occurs associated 

 with goitre, which would suggest a parasitic causation, but Bramley 

 is opposed to this view. 



It is curious that there is so little literature on this subject, and 

 that neither Scheube nor ourselves are acquainted with any further 

 papers describing this disease. 



Lipoma. — Lipoma of the lobule of the ear, often on both ears, is reported in 

 Loango. This tumour may reach the size of a walnut or a child's head, and 

 is thought to be due to the fact that the negroes bore their ears with thorns 

 or with pointed strips of palm-leaves, which are retained in the lobe of the ear 

 for some time. 



