DEAF′NESS

An imperfection or absence of the sense of hearing. When deafne is present in infancy and childhood, it is accompanied with dumbne , or imperfect articulation, in consequence of the impo ibility of conveying a knowledge of the sounds nece ary for the exercise of the imitative faculty of speech. Deafne frequently arises from some imperfection or obstruction of the pa age leading to the membrane of the tympanum or drum of the ear. In some cases this pa age is totally closed by a membrane, or some malformation of the tube, which may frequently be removed by a surgical operation. Even instances of partial obliteration of this pa age have occurred, which have been succe fully treated. The researches of Mr Year sley have established the fact, that enlarged tonsils are a very common cause of deafne ; and when such is the case, their excision will generally effect a cure. To this form of the affection Mr Year sley applies the term ‘throat deafne .’ Another cause of deafne is the presence of foreign bodies in the aural pa ages or the accumulation of hardened wax. In these cases the best treatment is to inject warm water into the ear by means of a proper syringe. When deafne arises from imperfection of the tympanum or drum of the ear, the effects of the application of the artificial membrana tympani invented by Mr Year sley (moistened cotton wool) are generally immediate and truly wonderful. By its aid persons previously so deaf as to be incapable of bearing their share in conversation have been enabled to hear an ordinary whisper. Insects may be destroyed by pouring a spoonful of warm olive oil, or camphorated oil, into the ear over night, retaining it there until the next morning by means of a piece of cotton wool, when it may be washed out with a little mild soap and warm water. When there is a deficiency of the natural secretion of wax, or a dryne of the aural pa age, mild oleaginous stimulants may be employed. For this purpose a little olive oil, almond oil, to which a few drops of oil of turpentine, oil of juniper, or camphor liniment, have been added, may be used with advantage. A piece of cotton wool moistened with glycerin is an excellent application in such cases. When deafne is accompanied with continued acute pain, or a discharge of purulent matter, inflammation of the tympanum, or some other portion of the internal ear, probably exists, and medical advice should be sought as soon as po ible. The deafne that frequently accompanies a violent cold is generally caused by obstructions in the Eustachian tubes, and goes off as soon as the secretions return to a healthy state. In some forms of deafne blisters behind the ears are useful. A clove of garlic wrapped in cotton or gauze, or a few drops of the juice introduced into the ear, is extremely efficacious in nervous deafne . When imperfect hearing depends upon obtundity of the auditory nerve, or an extensive obliteration or malformation of the internal ear, it scarcely admits of cure.