Report of the Edinburgh Ear Dispensary : with notes of one hundred cases of diseases of the ear treated in succession during the first months of 1861 / by Thomas Keith.

  • Thomas Keith
Date:
[1862]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Edinburgh Ear Dispensary : with notes of one hundred cases of diseases of the ear treated in succession during the first months of 1861 / by Thomas Keith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    solution of nitrate of silver, sixty grains to the ounce. This was repeated once or twice, by which time the discharge had ceased, and along with it the irrita¬ tion and itching in the ear.^ External irritation was continued for some weeks, and the hearing became quite restored. 95. Loss, of Hearing after Scarlet Fever—Membranes Tympani destroyed._ Jane Cunningham, set. 21.—Lost her hearing fourteen years ago after scarlet fever. Since then has had a constant discharge from both ears. On examina¬ tion both membranse tympani are quite removed,—apparently also the small bones of the ear. The hearing is almost quite gone. 96. Suppuration of Ear from introduction of Oil of Turpentine into Meatus.— David Craig, set. 20.—About four years ago had a slight earache, for which he was recommended to put into the ear some oil of turpentine. This was followed by severe pain and profuse suppuration, and for some time by complete loss of hearing. At present the hearing distance is four inches. The membrana tympani is nearly removed, a small rim only being left. The mucous membrane of the middle ear is swollen and red. This was washed several times with a twenty-grain solution of the nitrate of silver ; and, with the daily use of the syringe, in the course of three or four weeks the discharge had ceased. The artificial membrana tympani of Mr Toynbee, when introduced answered remarkably well, increasing the hearing distance to upwards of three feet. The patient, however, would not take the trouble to use it; for, as he said, he heard quite well with the other ear and was satisfied with having got quit of the discharge. 97. Inflammation of Tympanum.—Jane Colvin, set. 11; a fair-haired, delicate-looking girl.—Has had severe earache every night for the last three weeks. Hearing distance, contact. The membrana tympani on the affected side is dull, and has a swollen appearance. A few days after there was a slight discharge from the ear, which relieved the pain ; there was not, how¬ ever, any aperture in the membrana tympani. In about ten days the discharge ceased, and the membrana tympani was left much thickened, and two months afterwards the watch was only heard at the distance of two feet. 98. Occlusion of Eustachian Tube.—John Mackay, set. 40.—Has been dull of hearing for several weeks. Within the last week has got very deaf in the left ear, with a feeling of fulness and pain on that side of the head. Hearing distance, one inch and a-half. Both passages are full of soft cerumen, on removing which the hearing is restored in the right, but not in the left ear, the membrana tympani of which is seen to be of a dark leaden colour, very concave, and reflecting light from nearly its whole surface. The left Eustachian tube is impermeable. _ A blister behind the ear relieved the pain in the head, and in about ten days air passed freely into the tympanum, and the hearing returned. 99. Acute Inflammation of the Tympanic Cavity, extending to the Periosteum over the mastoid region—Bell's Paralysis, etc.—Donald Munro, set. 30.—The details of this case are not now given, as it is intended to publish it with some others of a similar nature afterwards. 100. Catarrh of Middle Ear, with discharge through the Membrana Tympani, after Measles.—William Young, set. 13. Has had discharge from one ear for the last seven weeks. It came on after acute pain during his convalescence from measles. Hearing distance, lialf-an-incli. The meatus is swollen, and contains large flakes of detached cuticle. The membrana tympani is very red, and has a small perforation near the centre of the anterior vibrating portion, through which a muco-purulent discharge comes from the middle ear. By the daily use of the syringe, an occasional washing of the meatus and membrana tympani with a weak solution of nitrate of silver, and mild counter- 111 itation, the parts gradually resumed a healthy appearance ; the opening in le membrana tympani closed, and in six weeks the hearing was restored.