The nature and causes of catarrhal, "throat", or hereditary deafness : an explanation of paracusis willisii the mechanism of aural accommodation, the regulation of labyrinthine fluid pressure, the tightening of relaxed tympanic membrances and joints, the relief of tinnitus aurium with the description of a new method of treatment and some illustrative cases / by Charles J. Heath.

  • Heath, Charles J. (Charles Joseph), 1856-1934
Date:
[1912]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The nature and causes of catarrhal, "throat", or hereditary deafness : an explanation of paracusis willisii the mechanism of aural accommodation, the regulation of labyrinthine fluid pressure, the tightening of relaxed tympanic membrances and joints, the relief of tinnitus aurium with the description of a new method of treatment and some illustrative cases / by Charles J. Heath. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    which is necessary in order to ensure their responsive vibration in accordance with sounds of different kinds, such accordance being necessary for good hearing. Further, the contraction of the stapedius now inadequately controlled exceeds its proper limits, and leads to stretching of the membrane which surrounds the footplate of the stirrup bone in the oval window of the labyrinth. It is mainly due to relaxation of this membrane, resulting, as I will show, in deafness due to diminution of the integrity, that is of the resilient tension of the labyrinthine capsule at this important part, which permits of that better hearing in a noise, to which Willis, long ago, gave the name paracusis. The better hearing being chiefly due to the stronger reflex action of the stapedius muscle in a noise, its action being to increase the tension of the oval window and thus to facilitate its vibration and therefore the transmission of sounds.5 During my study of this subject I have often induced these accommodating and protective, though hidden, muscular movements, with the object of investigating their various purposes. I have observed, and demonstrated to other surgeons, the visible tightening of the drum-head, and also variations in the power of hearing due to alteration of [Note 6.—Parts which are intended to vibrate must be subjected to a certain amount of tension.]