Contributions to aural surgery. Pt. III. Inflammatory affections of the membrana tympani and middle ear / by W.R. Wilde.

  • Wilde, William Robert Willis, 1815-1876.
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contributions to aural surgery. Pt. III. Inflammatory affections of the membrana tympani and middle ear / by W.R. Wilde. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    patient, either by direct opinion as to the incurable nature of the disease or diseases known by the symptom of deafness, or by such futile treatment as broke down the confidence of the patient in any form of treatment for diseases of the organs of hearing. It is true that cases of what are termed “ nervous deafness,” that is, of defect of the hearing function of the acoustic nerve in any part of the internal ear, from paralysis or other causes,—or of those portions of the brain which preside over the functions of hearing, or give origin to, or are con- nected with the portio mollis of the seventh pair of nerves,— in fact, such cases as are analogous to amaurosis,—are as intract- able as that disease of the eye;—yet I fear not to reiterate the assertion which I made upon a former occasion, that if the diseases of the ear were as well studied or understood by the generality of practitioners, and as early treated, as the diseases of the eye, it would be found that they were just as much within the pale of scientific treatment. Notwithstanding that we have now several special works upon aural surgery, as well as some valuable monographs in the cyclopedias and periodicals, it is to be regretted that the modern Systems of Surgery contain but scanty information upon the subject of diseases of the ear. The following passage from M. Druitt’s well-arranged work (which is an exception to the class), is so apposite to the fore- going observations, that I insert it: “ Deafness is so common and so distressing an infirmity, and when of long standing, is so incurable, that we cannot too strongly urge all medical prac- titioners to make themselves familiar with the treatment of diseases of the ear. They should also encourage their patients to apply to them for the relief of slight and incipient ailments in this organ, instead of allowing them to go on till they be- come permanently deaf, and then letting them fruitlessly seek relief from ignorant and mercenary quacks.”(«) (a) Druitt’s Surgeons’ Vade Mecum, p. 382.