A contribution to the pathology of congenital deafness / by Edward Cock.

  • Cock, Edward, 1805-1892.
Date:
[1838]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A contribution to the pathology of congenital deafness / by Edward Cock. 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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    to, abnormal deviations in other parts of the body, which are discovered after death, but which produced no symptoms during life, as regarded the functions of the organ in wliich they occurred. A reference to the series of preparations in museums, my own experience in the dissection of ears, and the evidence of those whose constant occupation it is to pre- pare anatomical illustrations of the organ, prove, almost to a certainty, that malformation never is found, except in cases of deafness. Although I cannot flatter myself that the issue of my labours has afforded any information which can be attended with a beneficial result in a practical point of view;—although the establishment of a fact, which has been denied, that con- genital malformation may and frequently does exist, would rather discourage us from adopting remedial measures, than serve to indicate any mode of treatment for the relief of the patient;—yet I am not without the hope, that my investiga- tions may still prove of some value, in the hands of those who undertake the treatment of deafness on scientific principles, and with a view to the benefit of their patients as well as their own emolument. I trust they may stir up a spirit of inquiry into the symptoms and degrees of deafness; wliich may lead to the establishment of a more accurate and effi- cient diagnosis; and enable the aurist to distinguish between those cases which are irremediable by art, and those wliich may be expected to derive benefit from judicious treatment There can be no doubt, that, even in cases of congenital deaf- dumbness, the derangement of the organ, whether functional or organic, may exist in different degrees of intensity; that, in some instances, the mischief consists merely of an imper- fection or dulness of hearing, which, from neglect, has en- tailed the additional misfortune of dumbness on the sufferer; whilst in others.it amounts to a total and irremediable l)rivatioii of the sense. The power of discrimination can only be acquired by the intelligent and scientific aurist, and must be the result of much experience and patient investiga- tion ; but the knowledge thus acquired would frequently ])rove the means of rescuing the hopelessly deaf and dumb from the constitutional injury and bodily suffering conse- quent upon tedious and painful courses of treatment, indis-
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