Deafness practically illustrated / [James Yearsley].

  • James Yearsley
Date:
[1849]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Deafness practically illustrated / [James Yearsley]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    149/200 page 137
    In a sudden and forcible respiration, when a greater quantity of air is attempted to be expelled than can find a ready exit, it happens differently. It then re- gurgitates, and rushes into the Eustachian tube and tympanum with great force, and can be felt to strike against the drum, or heard to escape through the exter- nal meatus in cases where the membrana tympani is perforated. The same occurs in yawning, in which, although the expiration is prolonged, it is more forcible than usual. In yawning, the greatest effect of this kind is produced when the act is performed in a sub- dued manner with the mouth nearly or entirely closed. Air enters the Eustachian tube and middle ear toa still greater extent in sneezing, an act in which the communication between the air tubes and the mouth is sometimes shut off by closure of the palatine arches, so that the breath passes upwards, and escapes by the nostrils alone. There is in sneezing also a violent preliminary inspiration, which generally drives air up the Eustachian tubes with considerable force. Hence it occurs that yawning and sneezing are oc- casionally the means of curing deafness, dependent on obstruction of the passages leading from the posterior nares to the ear, the sudden rush of air breaking up and expelling any inspissated mucus that may have ac- cumulated therein. In many cases of deafness also which do not arise from obstruction, it is remarkable that sneezing and yawning frequently occasion tempo- rary benefit, and improve the hearing. Treatment of Obstruction of the Nose.—Before my attention became especially directed to the subject, I was accustomed to depend on medical treatment alone for the removal of nasal obstructions; acting in this, in
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