A manual of pathology / by Joseph Coats.

  • Joseph Coats
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A manual of pathology / by Joseph Coats. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1139/1178 (page 1111)
    damage to the structures as to result in total deafness. This is stated to be an important cause of deaf-mutism. Acute fevers, especially scarlet fever and typhoid fever, sometimes cause inflammation of the labyrinth. Mumps has occasionally a similar effect. Diseases of the brain and its membranes, such as tumours, abscesses, and inflammations, often involve the auditory nerve within the skull. The auditory centre in the brain may also be involved by local diseases such as embolism and haemorrhage. Affections involving the labyrinth and producing Alterations in the fluid contents of the semicircular canals are apt to produce subjective sensations of giddiness and sickness. This is due to the fact that these structures apparently exercise an important function in connection with the retention of the equilibrium of the body. The group of symptoms thus produced is included under the desig- nation Meniere's disease. A minor degree of giddiness and sickness may be produced by syringing the ear with cold water, especially when the membrane is perforated. Any interference with the labyrinth leads to deafness, and this may be absolute. If this occurs in children the condition of Deaf- mutism results. Deaf-mutism will occur when deafness has been produced in the infant, from whatever cause, whether £n affection of the middle or internal ear.