400 
G. ARCHIE STOCKWELL, 
by means of a hard rubber car syringe, gradually increasing the 
temperature until restlesness is manifested, continuing the highest 
degree of heat that can be borne for a quarter of an hour or 
more. Speedy relief from pain is not only thus afforded, but ii> 
flamation abated ; and it may be largely dissipated by renewal of 
the operation once or twice daily. Great relief may be had also 
by painting the drum membrane and aural canal with a four per 
cent, solution of brucine, which is generally advisable a few 
moments before resorting to the use of the speculum. Almost 
any good aural speculum answers the purpose of examining the 
ear of the dog, though my preferences are for the silvered glass 
modification of Wilde, its length over the silver speculum being 
a decided advantage, as well as its greater light-reflecting surface. 
The use of oils and caustics within the ear cannot be too strongly 
condemned; both produce untold miseries, the former by en¬ 
forcing the opposite of cleanliness, encouraging accumulations, 
the latter by destroying healthy tissue; if caustics or astringents 
appear essential they should be applied only through the specu¬ 
lum by means of a brush, directly to the part, avoiding healthy 
surroundings. As a sedative and poultice, the hot water is un¬ 
excelled, and meets not only all the indications, but has the 
superior merit of cleanliness. 
A vigorous cathartic rarely comes amiss at the outset of otic 
troubles, especially in mastoid abscess, even before operative 
procedures are instituted. One is rarely permitted to view a case 
of otitis cellulosa in which marked disturbance of general func¬ 
tions is not broadly defined, especially defective nutrition 
owing to non-assimilation and a circulation overburdened with 
poisonous and effete products. Indeed, a constitutional derange¬ 
ment may be at the bottom of the whole trouble. A mercurial— 
I record my preference for a fall dose of calomel and colocynth 
comp.—followed by a saline, as sulphate of soda or magnesia, will 
prove most satisfactory; after which quinine , iron, nux, ipecac, 
euonymin irisin, etc., will have due value. The objections 
usually advanced against calomel disappear if a fall dose is given; 
it is not a remedy to be dabbled with, or suitable to half-way 
measures, ten grains is none too much for a large-sized dog. A 
