On a new mode of treating deafness when attended by partial or entire loss of the membrana tympani, associated or not with discharge from the ear.

  • Yearsley, James, 1805-1869.
Date:
1849
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On a new mode of treating deafness when attended by partial or entire loss of the membrana tympani, associated or not with discharge from the ear. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    30/44 (page 22)
    vances, there is a natural tendency to the suppression of ear discharges of all kinds, and their spontaneous dis- appearance is rarely, if ever, attended by any ill effects, but the desirability of such a termination is lessened by the increase which takes place in the deafness. Happily, the moistened cotton-wool now presents itself as a remedy for such cases, and my experience justifies me in saying, that in a very great majority, when. skilfully applied, it will materially add to the comfort, gradually lessen the discharge, and mbathprt im- prove the state of hearing. In the relation of cases confirmatory of the happy effects of the cotton-wool, it will be unnecessary to de- scribe with minuteness the precise appearances which each ear presented in which it has been successful; it is sufficient to say, that in every case there was partial or entire loss of the membrana tympani, with more or less otorrhea, though it is not a sime gua non that the latter symptom of disease should be present. A perfectly dry ear, with perforation of the membrane, may be always considered a highly favourable case for the operation. The only question we have, therefore, to consider is, how far it is possible that the sense of hearing’ can be improved by so simple a: remedy? and to enable us to form a proper estimate, I propose to quote two descrip- tions of cases: the one to prove the permanent value of the remedy; the other, to show its immediate effect. With respect to the instruments which I use, I may briefly state that they consist of a pair of small forceps, weak in the spring, so as to admit of the blades coming accurately together with the slightest possible pressure. This instrument should differ from the ordinary forceps in another respect—namely, the blades or prongs should