Contributions to physiology and pathology / by J. Moorhead.

  • Moorhead, J.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Contributions to physiology and pathology / by J. Moorhead. 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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    ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF HEARING. As the Physiology of Hearing is a subject of great and increasing interest, more especially in these days when aural surgery is progressing with such rapid strides, a few remarks on some points connected with it may not be deemed altogether unimportant. It is not my desire, however, to enter at length into the questio vexata recently discussed in the columns of a contemporary in relation to the modes of treatment of perforate membrana tympani; but rather to call attention to some facts and arguments touching the theories in question, and then to notice other points of peculiar interest to the physiologist. The uses of the tympanum and its membrane first claim our consideration. The principal functions of the membrana tympani, according to Mr. Toynbee, are (to use his own words) :— 1. “To form part of the resonant walls of the tympanic cavity, whereby the sonorous undulations are thrown upon the membrana fenestrse rotundse.” 2. “To act as the analogue of the iris in the eye, and defend the ear against too violent sonorous vibra- - tions; and also, on the other hand, to place it in a position to receive and appreciate those most faint and delicate.”
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