768 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER 
Novemberal6 
" ANCHYLOSIS ." 
Last week one of our readers told us that he 
found it hard to obtain subscriptions because he 
was so deaf that people had to yell into his ear. 
In the same letter he asked this question : 
“ Have you or your readers ever heard of any 
cure for deafness ? If so, let’s have it through 
The R. N.-Y. ; but nothing but an honest answer 
wanted.” 
Now we find that many people are more or less 
deaf. Persons who think that their ears are per¬ 
fect, are often unable to hear as they should. 
Deafness seems to be increasing, especially 
among children, and this accounts for the num¬ 
ber of so-called “cures” and devices for helping 
out the ear. These things find ready sale because 
no man is so eager to be cured as the deaf man, 
and he will grasp at any straw that promises 
help. Possibly a short talk on deafness may 
interest and help some of our hard-of-hearing 
friends. 
* 
The writer has been deaf for 16 years. There¬ 
fore, he is no “hack writer” on the subject. The 
deafness first came on gradually. It was hardly 
noticed at first. When it really got to be serious, 
instead of going to work systematically to get rid 
of it, I began to use all these “ cures.” I wish I 
had a dollar for every drop of skunk’s oil I have 
poured into my ears or a cent for each grain of 
other stuff I have poked into my ears and nose 
without results. I had about given up hope for 
improvement, when I went to a skillful aurist for 
examination. To my surprise, he paid little atten¬ 
tion to the outer ear, but looked down into my 
nose and throat. The trouble was ’way inside—in 
the inner ear—and all my oiling and poking into 
the outer ear had done more harm than good. To 
put the thing in one big word, the trouble in my 
case was an anchylosis of the little bones of the 
inside ear. Way inside behind the ear “ drums,” 
protected by thick bony coverings, are the drum 
sticks, or little bones that answer the imrpose of 
a man’s hand and drum stick pounding on the 
head of a drum. Now an “anchylosis” of these 
bones is a stiffening up of the joints so that they 
can’t play or move. It’s like a man with stiff 
joints in every finger and wrist, trying to play a 
tune on the drum. He can’t do it because there is 
no play to his wrist or fingers. So when sound 
comes tapping on my ear drums, that faithful 
pounder inside can’t work as he would like to, 
and the result is that the sound is imperfectly 
sent along the nerves. That is the most common 
reason for severe deafness. It may be caused by 
a good many things—-chiefly neglect of the nose 
and throat. The little tubes which supply the 
inner ear with air are thickened or clogged up. 
The ear is not properly ventilated, and the result 
is that this anchylosis begins. 
Well, what about treatment ? The idea is that 
this anchylosis is progressive. Thatis, itdoesnot 
stand still. It will grow worse if neglected, and, pos¬ 
sibly, grow better if properly treated. Like a corn 
on a man’s foot—it won’t stand still so long as you 
wear the shoe that caused it. Take your arm and 
tie it up to your side for six months, and it would 
be so stiff you couldn’t beat a drum with it. In the 
same way, those little bones in there will get 
stiffer and stiller unless something is done to 
limber them up. What can be done ? You can 
see how useless oils and snuffs would be in such 
a case. The point is to blow something directly 
upon that bone. After curing my nose and throat 
chiefly by the use of vaseline and bicarbonate of 
soda, the aurist began a systematic treatment of 
blowing up that bone. Every two weeks or 
oftener, he has put a curved tube into my nose, 
’way back as far as it will go—three inches or 
more—with the end pointed out to a passage that 
runs through the bone to the inner ear. Then 
through this tube he blows a vapor made up of 
various gases. Every now and then. I put a 
mild blister on just back of the ear under the 
hair. Fun? Well, it’s just the way you look at 
it. I wouldn’t do it from choice, for it warms up 
that ear like a furnace, and the nose was never 
made to have tubes poked into it. The fun comes 
in the fact that my hearing has slightly improved 
under that prolonged treatment of several years. 
It is a fact that the anchylosis is letting up on its 
grip a little, with hope for further improvement 
if that vapor is still blown upon it regularly. The 
outer ear must not become dry. Avoid a cold in 
the head, if possible. Try hard to hear ! 
* 
Now I have explained this at some length. I 
know what it is to be deaf, and I can sympathize 
with all who are under the thumb of Uncle An¬ 
chylosis. My observation has convinced me that 
many of the children of to-day are sure to be 
deaf men and women if their little throats are 
not cured and treated properly. The trouble is 
that nobody knows when a little one is deaf until 
it gets so bad that there is not much hope for it. 
If I had my way, I would make every child keep 
its mouth shut tight except when eating, talking 
or singing, breathe through the nose entirely, and 
use the vaseline and bicarbonate of soda treat¬ 
ment as a regular part of each day’s toilet. With 
me, of course, this is like shutting the stable door 
after the horse is stolen; but you may be sure that 
little girl of mine won’t have any anchylosis in 
her ear if I can prevent it—and I know I can ! 
But how abotit the unfortunate people who have 
gone on and let this anchylosis develop ? I re¬ 
gret-to.say that I do not see much hope for them, 
except in a long and tedious treatment. I am 
sorry that this is so, but our friend wantsan 
honest answer, and I am giving it. There are 
other forms of deafness, and some of them yield 
easily to treatment; but I am speaking of the 
most common form—the anchylosis of that little 
bone. I have tried lots of cures and devices for 
sticking in the ear, but only two have been in 
any way successful. One is a big rubber shell 
that goes on the back of the ear just as you have 
seen people put their hands there to “catch the 
sound.” The other is a big rubber fan with an 
edge of metal. The edge is held between the 
teeth with the fan spread out. This really helps 
the hearing on the same principle, I suppose, 
that a tuning fork can hardly be heard when held 
away from the ear; yet when the lower part is 
held to the head just under the ear, it makes a 
loud noise. I regret to say that when a man has 
a well-developed case of anchylosis in his ear, he 
might as well make up his mind that he is 
anchored to deafness, unless he can take a long 
treatment with some skillful aurist. 
* 
Well, now, why is all this information given ? 
Of course I am glad to give it for the benefit of 
my fellow citizens; but I am frank to say that 
there is business in it, too. I am not interested 
in securing deaf patients, but I am interested in 
securing subscriptions for The R. N.-Y. I hope 
to be doing business here for 50years more. Some 
of these little ones with a growth just starting to 
ruin their throats, and cause deafness, may be 
attended to and cured, if their parents heed what 
I have said. Such children, when they grow up 
will, of course, take The R. N.-Y. Then, again, 
a man with a bad anchylosis in his ear, can’t 
make a first-class agent. This is not so much be¬ 
cause he can’t get subscriptions. I have found 
that deafness is not such a bad thing for agents 
and editors, if they manage it right. The trouble 
is that some of these agents seem to have an an¬ 
chylosis of comprehension, and don’t yet fully 
understand what they can make by working up a 
club of subscriptions. Read up and see what we 
offer for November. The following persons had a 
dollar bill sprayed against that ear bone last 
week : 
Nov. 4. Joseph Morris, Sanilac Co., Mich. 
6. W. H. Collin, Sargent Co., No. Dak. 
7. Joseph Morris, Sanilac Co., Mich. 
8. B. Kenyon, Fairfax Co., Va. 
9. Catharine D. Wieland, Center Co., Pa. 
The 5th was election day, and we did not open the 
office. Do you know what these people have been 
doing ? They have been treating and curing cases 
of anchylosis that are altogether too common 
among the farmers of this land. It’s an anchy¬ 
losis of understanding—they don’t understand 
that The R. N.-Y. is necessary to them if they want 
to get the best there is out of the soil. These 
agents went and put the paper right under the 
noses of their friends and neighbors, and then 
blew in the vapor of a good common-sense propo¬ 
sition. It was a mixture like this : 1. The R. 
N.-Y. is the business farmer’s paper. 2. It doesn’t 
beg anybody to take it. 3. It only asks a fair and 
honest examination. 4. If it isn’t worth a dollar 
to you in your work, you can get the dollar back 
at any time. This combination blown in with 
sound words just shook all the stiffness out of the 
anchylosis, and the result was—a number of new 
subscriptions. Why—here’s a note that will do 
to close with : 
“It gives me pleasure to send you this new 
name in two ways—it will help you a little and 
benefit my friend much. Mr. J- has the “ get 
there” in him, and is always alive. Wish I could 
say as much of many others.” c. h. h. 
Indiana. 
Results prove conclusively that by the use of fertilizers 
rich in potash the crops of 
Wheat and 
and all winter crops are largely increased and the soil is positively enriched. 
We will cheerfully mail our pamphlets on Potash, its Use and Abuse on the 
Vsxm,free of cost They will cost you nothing to read, and will save you dollars. 
GERMAN KALI WORKS, 93 Nassau Street, New York. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER IMP’D SEWING MACHINE. 
It is seldom that we find an article that we can so heartily indorse as we can 
this sewing machine. There are two of them in homes connected with The Rural 
New-Yorker, and we know that no 
better machine is made at any price. No 
reader of The R. N.-Y. should pay $45 or 
$50 for a machine. This machine is war¬ 
ranted and guaranteed in every way. We 
shall send it on 20 days’ trial, and if not 
satisfactory in every way, we shall take it 
back and return the money. It has all the 
attachments, and is warranted for 10 years. 
High arm, oak or walnut woodwork, and 
five drawers. As it is a staple machine, 
new parts may be secured at any time if 
needed. A complete set of attachments and 
instruction book accompany each machine 
Price delivered, east of Rocky Mountains, 
$19.50, or with one year’s subscription, $20 ; 
or we will send it, freight paid, and a club 
of 10 new yearly subscriptions for $25. 
THE RURAL NEW-YORKER. New York. 
E Bowker’s Fertilizers. S 
\ 1 
80LUE* K — ACTIVE— SURE. 
2^ RflWKFR fertilizer co., "^2 
UU ¥Il\Lfl BOSTON & NEW YORK.—* 
&UUUMUUUIUUIK 
MAKE MONEY 
Large and profitable crops can be 
grown by fertilizing with 
NITRATE OF SODA 
Nearly all fertilizers are ineffective because 
they contain too little nitrogen. Add a little 
nitrate OF SODA to these and the result will 
be astonishing. 
A Valuable Pamphlet telling how 
to save $10 to $15 per ton on fertilizers, and 
how to fertilize most economically and ef¬ 
fectively, sent FREE Address 
S. M. Harris, Moreton Farm (P. 0,), New York. 
NEW YORK WORLD 
TREE SEEDS. 
Messrs. Fr. Kirchhoff & Co. are open to buy Tree 
Seeds in large quantities. Send samples and lowest 
quotations to P. O. Box 2326, Johannesburg, S. A. R. 
Productive Farm 
to rent, on shares, or cash. Near Albany; over 200 
acres. Horses, wagons and implements on place. 
Especially adapted to hay, corn, cabbage and pota¬ 
toes. Special market for products at advanced prices. 
Only No. 1 party with sufficient money to work place 
advantageously need apply. Possession any time 
before April 1. Apply to 
MURPHY, LLOYD & BOYD. Attorneys, 
No. Ill Broadway. New York. 
Tfi E YP U A N ft C— Have one of the best stock 
IU LAUMMI1UL farms in Michigan, but am 
unable to give it attention. Will exchange for small 
place of about five acres in good locality within 100 
miles of New York. This is a splendid chance for a 
young pushing man. Any difference in price can re¬ 
main at low rate of interest. Address 
D. A. BECKWITH, 280 Broadway, New York. 
WHICH CATALOGUE Iend l you? 
Mandolins, Violins, Violin Music, 
Cases, Violin Bows, 
Banjos, Banjo Music, 
Guitars, Cuitar Music, 
Flutes, Flute Music, 
Cornets, Cornet Music, Harmonicas. 
Violins repaired by the Cremona System. 
C. C. STORY, 26 Central Street, Boston, Mass. 
We are ready to take the “little” end every time. 
You can say as much for others as soon as you 
get that anchylosis limbered up. Spray away at 
it. They are deaf, that’s all. Keep at them and 
spray hard! 
In writing to advertisers, please always mention 
The Rural Nkw-Yohkeh. 
Oakland Bean Picker 
The Only Practical 
Bean Picker on 
the Market. 
ADAPTED TO USE ON 
FARMS AND IN WARE¬ 
HOUSES. 
We have a large Machine 
adapted to power exclusive¬ 
ly. Write for circulars to 
BACON BROTHERS, 
9 Lawrence Street, 
PONTIAC, MICH. 
Thrice-a-Week Edition, 
Combining all the crisp, fresh news qua¬ 
lities of a daily with the special 
literary and instructive 
features of a Weekly. 
SIX PAGES AT EACH ISSUE. 
EIGHTEEN PAGES EVERY WEEK. 
Stories by the Best Authors. 
Pages for Women and Children. 
Pull Market Reports. 
A Varied Editorial Page. 
A Cyclopedia of News and Comment. 
Political events, as well as all other news, nar¬ 
rated fully, promptly and accurately. 
156 PAPERS FOR ONE DOLLAR. 
Send $1.65 to this office for THE RURAL NEW- 
YORKER and the THRICE-A-WEEK WORLD, 
both one year. 
Ear or Shell 
\0ats, Wheat, Eye 
I \ and Barley Fine 
Enough for any 
I I Purpose. 
/ Made only by 
JOLIET 
STE0WBEIE3E 
CO. Joliet, Ills. 
Strongest, Most Durable, Easiest Running, and in every 
way Til. I1EST I KEP (X TIE It made. All Sizes, for Hand 
ir Power. Carriers any length. For Low Prices and Best 
Discounts, send for Illus. Catalogue. Also Manufactur¬ 
ers of the Celebrated Freeman Wind Mill, Centennial 
Fanning Mill, and a full line of Horse Powers, and Horeti 
S. FREEMAN & SONS MFG.CQ. 
No. l78Bridge St., RACINE, WIS. ' 
CONTENTS. 
Rural New-Yorker, November 16, 1895. 
FARM TOPICS. 
“ Corn Hay ” in Three States.758, 759 
Another Fruit Barn.759 
A Big Potato Yield.759 
What Potato Tests Show.759 
The “ Cost of a Crop ”.759 
Recuperative Forces in the Soil. Ill. 759 
Clover for the Silo.760, 761 
Waterproofing Muslin.761 
How to Empty the Silo. 761 
Crimson Clever in Canada.762 
A “ Dust Blanket ” for Moisture.762 
Advantage of Cut Fodder.762 
Curing a Sour Soil. Part 1.770 
LIVE STOCK AND DAIRY. 
Creamery and Other Humbugs.759 
To Learn the Buttermaker’s Trade.761 
A Can-Steaming Station.762 
An Ohio Poultry Farm.770, 771 
HORTICULTURAL. 
The Salmonberry.760 
Pruning and Feeding a Plum Orchard.761 
A Selection of Small Fruits.761 
Potted Strawberry Plants.761 
Books on Cranberry Culture.761 
Window Flowers in Winter.765 
The Best Early Apple.765 
WOMAN AND THE HOME. 
Editorials.766 
A Model Kitchen.766 
Work for the Mind.766 
Which Shall She Do ?. 766 
Farmer Hayseed’s Oration.767 
Are Women Ashamed of Their Ages?.767 
Printed Patchwork.767 
Patterns for R. N.-Y. Readers. 767 
Planting Shrubs.767 
A Sensible Marriage.767 
MISCELLANEOUS 
An American Indian.757, 758 
Ruralisms.763 
Editorials.764 
Brevities.764 
Who Benefits by Game Laws ?.765 
Business Bits.765 
As We Go to Press.-768 
Markets.769 
Crop and Market Notes.769 
Humorous.772 
