Report of the Edinburgh Ear Dispensary : with notes of one hundred cases of diseases of the ear treated in succession during the first months of 1861 / by Thomas Keith.

Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Edinburgh Ear Dispensary : with notes of one hundred cases of diseases of the ear treated in succession during the first months of 1861 / by Thomas Keith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    the primary disease in the case was a chronic inflammation, or hypertrophy of the mucous lining of the tympanic cavity, and that the affections of the mem- braua tympani and external meatus were merely secondary, and dependent upon the deeper irritation, means were perseveringly used for the cure of this unhealthy state of the middle ear. These consisted chiefly in very long con- tinued counter-irritation, followed by, for some weeks, small doses of the bichloride of mercury, with quinine and iron or other tonics, according to circumstances. The result has been, that at present the hearing is almost perfect, the watch being heard on both sides at a distance of between live and six feet. The meatus and membranm tympani have nearly resumed their healthy appearance. Owing, however, to an apparently relaxed and weak state of the membranes, they occasionally fall inwards when he catches cold, and the deafness slightly returns for a day or two; that he will ultimately get quite well there can be no doubt. 11. Abscess in Anterior Wall of Meatus.—Mrs Dickson, act. 25 ; Jan. 15.— Has had severe pain in the left ear for the last ten days, in consequence of the formation of an abscess in the meatus, which is now pointing anteriorly. It contained about a teaspoonful of pus, and its evacuation was followed by immediate relief. 12. Congestion of Middle Ear—Occlusion of Faucial Orifice of Eustachian Tubes.—Jane Hastie, aet. 10.—About two months ago, deafness came on rather suddenly after a cold, but it was neither preceded nor followed by pain in the ears. Both membr&me tympani were found on inspection to be of a dark leaden, almost black colour, and much more concave than in the normal state of the parts. These appearances were doubtless caused by a congested state of the middle ears, for both Eustachian tubes were impervious. The throat was also red and swollen. The fauces were washed over with a strong solution of nitrate of silver, and the acetum lyttae applied freely behind the ears. No opportunity was, however, given of observing the efleet of this treatment, for the girl did not again make her appearance at the dispensary. Doubtless, the symptoms would disappear in a week or two. 13. Eczema of Auricle and Meatus.—Elizabeth Blaikie, set. 50; applied Jan. 15, on account of an eczematous condition of the right auricle. The meatus was similarly affected, and, besides, contained a mixture of pus and thickened epidermis. After this had been removed, and a few applications of a fifteen- grain solution of nitrate of silver made to the auricle, meatus, and membrana tympani, followed by the employment of the weak citrine ointment, the parts got into a healthy state, and the hearing improved. The left ear contained a large polypus projecting from the meatus; it was the size of a cherry, dense white, and almost cartilaginous; it had existed for upwards of.forty years. For many years the discharge which had long accompanied it had ceased, and she had suffered no inconvenience from its presence; and, satisfied with the improvement which had taken place in the right ear, site was unwilling to have it interfered with in the meantime. 14. Loss of Membrana Tympani after Scarlet Fever— Thickening of Mucous Lining of Tympanum.—Thomas Smith, set. 12 ; Jan. 22.—Has had a profuse discharge from the left ear since he had scarlet fever, five years ago. The hearing distance is two inches. On examination, the membrana tympani is entirely gone, and the lining membrane of the tympanum is seen to be thick, red, and swollen. To reduce this exuberant state of the mucous mem- brane of the middle ear, it was washed over with a strong solution of the nitrate of silver—one drachm to the ounce. After six weeks’ treatment the discharge ceased, with the occasional exception of a scarcely appreciable mucous discharge. The hearing distance had increased to four or five inches, and the ear felt quite comfortable. No benefit was derived in this case from the use of the artificial membrana tympani. 15. Chronic, Injlammalion of Tympanum—Polypi in both Ears.—Wilhelmina