Lectures on the American eclectic system of surgery / by Benjamin L. Hill.

  • Hill, B. L. (Benjamin L.)
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Lectures on the American eclectic system of surgery / by Benjamin L. Hill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Lamar Soutter Library, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Lamar Soutter Library at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

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    at least for a time. When the atresia extends to the tympa- num, the case may possibly justify its perforation also. The l^vMPANUM is perforated when (there being no other cause for deafness) that membrane is itself in an indurated or ossi- fied condition, when the space beyond is blocked up with mucus or otherwise irremovable matter, or when the Eusta- chian tube is itself irremediably impervious. The wound is not dangerous; indeed it will soon close up, unless prevented by a tube or injections. But temporary advantage has generally been the result of the measure. A substitute for the Eusta- chian tube has been contrived, without cutting the tympanum, by a perforation into the internal ear through the mastoid pro- cess, with the insertion of a tube, until the orifice becomes naturally permanent. BoKiNG THE EAR for car-riugs is a surgical operation that, sim- ple as it is, has been followed by bad consequences. If to be done at all, a needle should be pushed through centrally, avoid- ing the cartilage, upon a cork—the part having been previ- ously compressed, to lessen its sensibility—and a temporary ring immediately inserted, which, after two or three days, must be moved, to avoid adhesion and insure cutijication. Oloplastice.—One of Taliacozzi's operations or directions is for the formation of an entire ear out of the scalp behind. The lower part of the ear has been successfully restored in this way. The Hindoos are said to successfully transplant fresh- cropped ears from other heads ! Catiieteeism of the Eustachian tube.—This necessar}^ appen- dage to the organ of hearing, sometimes requires the insertion of a catheter, to clear or enlarge it for the passage of air. Its orifice is to be found about a quarter of an inch behind the soft palate,—large enough for the insertion of the little finger. The instrument is first passed through the nostril of the affected side, with its convexity upwards and its point on the floor of the nose, until the patient gags from its reaching the posterior nares and rounded edge of the soft palate. Then by turning the point further towards the affected side, it will generally slip into the tube, or can be directed in by the finger through the mouth. OTHER OPERATIONS ON AND ABOUT THE NOSE. [For those connected with the Eye, see pages 251 and 598; with the antrum, page 246 ; with polypus, page 190.]