Manual of diseases of the ear : including those of the nose and throat in relation to the ear, for the use of students and practitioners of medicine / by Thomas Barr, M.D.

  • Barr, Thomas, 1846-1916
Date:
1901
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Manual of diseases of the ear : including those of the nose and throat in relation to the ear, for the use of students and practitioners of medicine / by Thomas Barr, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    in-] II. CAUSES ACTING THROUGH THE EUSTACHIAN TUBE. There is probably no greater predisposing or exciting cause (in producing or maintaining ear disease), than the presence of disease in the nasal and pharyngeal mucous membrane; and a special chapter is devoted to this subject. The chief morbid conditions which exercise an influence upon the middle ear are: (^) Acute rhinitis (acute cold in head). (b) Chronic rhinitis (chronic cold in head). (r) Adenoid vegetations in the naso-pharynx. (■d) Acute and chronic pharyngitis. Exanthemata. The rhinitis associated with the exanthematous diseases, especially scarlet fever and measles, has often a virulent effect upon the middle ear. Any one of the diseases of the middle ear may thus have its origin in scarlet fever or measles, but the purulent inflammations arise in this way more frequently than do the simple catarrhs. Probably the most obstinate purulent diseases of the ear, and those which are attended by greatest destruction of the tympanic membrane, arise from scarlet fever. Diphtheria may affect the ear by extending up the Eustachian tube from the pharynx; and, when it occurs in conjunction with scarlet fever, most serious purulent disease may be set up. Diphtheria may also damage the ear by causing paralysis of the muscles of the palate and Eustachian tube. Syphilis. Syphilitic cicatrices, by closing the mouth of the Eustachian tube, or by producing adhesions of the soft palate or perforation of the palate, may lead to disease in the middle ear. Pulmonary Affections. Pneumonia, bronchitis, influenza, whooping- cough, phthisis pulmonalis, etc., may excite morbid conditions of the middle ear, by simple continuity of the mucous membrane, by the strong expiratory efforts of coughing unduly condensing the air in the middle ear, or by the invasion of specific microbes. The Nasal Douche and other forms of nasal treatment are also in some cases responsible for setting up middle ear disease. The entrance of liquid into the middle ear through the Eustachian tube, during the use of the nasal douche or syringe, is no doubt a common occurrence; but this accident is fortunately by no means always followed by inflammatory mischief. Patients, especially children, frequently mention that they experience pain in the ear during the act of syringing, although no harm results. On the other hand, injury to the ear may ensue, such as purulent disease with all its possible consequences, or simple catarrh with temporary or permanent injury to the hearing. While many of 1 the cases of purulent middle ear disease excited in this way have been mild and short in duration, instances are, in the knowledge of the