MEDICAL NOTES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12853, 29 April 1905, Page 6 (Supplement)

MEDICAL NOTES.

THE HUMAN EAR. The world has learned a great deal of physiology of late years, and that is why no sensible parent will box a child's ear. The human ear is a wonderful piece of mechanism, and so sensitive and delicate that it is almost as dangerous to strike the ear as the brain. No father or mother would think of hitting a child in the eye, and yet it would be a safer experiment. But few people thoroughly realise what a delicate structure the human ear really is. That which we ordinarily designate so is, after all, only the mere outer porch of a series of winding passages, which, like | the lobbies of a great building, lead from the world without- to the world within. Certain of these passages are full of liquid, and their membranes are stretched like parchment curtains across the corridor at different places, and can be thrown into vibration or made to tremble like the head of a drum or the surface of a tambourine docs when struck with a stick or with the fingers. Between two of these parchmentlike curtains' a. chain of very small bones extends; which serves to tighten or relax these membranes and to communicate vibrations to them. In the innermost place of all a row of white threads, called nerves, stretch like the strings of a piano from the last point to which the tremblings or thrillings reach and pass inward to the brain. THE CURE OF CATARRH. One of the most important things in the cure of any disease is the removal of the cause or causes. Perhaps the most important is the use of excessive quantities of food, especially fatty and greasy fool's fried, and eaten without thorough mastication. The removal of this cause of internal congestion can be accomplished by the use of well-cooked, simply prepared foods in small quantities, thoroughly masticated. In other words, " Fletcherising" is one of the best cures for catarrhal troubles. Then again, we must bo careful to use a dietary that will keep the bowels, kidneys, and skin active. This we can do by the free use of water and an abundance of fruits or succulent vegetables. Fresh, ripe, stewed, or baked fruits may be used freely. But we must be careful to avoid the use of preserves, or fruits cooked with large quantities of cane sugar. Avoid also eating late in the evening. Not more than three meals should be eaten, and the third should be taken at least three or four hours before retiring. Those leading an, indoor or sedentary life will do well to leave off the third meal, especiallv if the appetite is good. Condiments and stimulants of all kinds must, be let alone. Dr. J. J. Bell, writing in Good Health, says;— Exercise in the- onen air is all-im-portant. This equalises the circulation, thus relieving the congested internal mucous membranes, while the extremities and skin are warmed. It also increases the rate and depth of the respiratorv movements, thus purifying the blood better than any other known remedy. A brisk walk in the open air is- an excellent means of loosening the tenacious mucous from the respiratory cavities. Gardening or some useful labour in the open air is also to be recommended. Treatment or baths which will keep the skill ill a healthy condition are beneficial. The warm bath, Swedish shampoo, or salt glow followed by a short cold bath, spray, or shower, will greatly improve the activitv of the skin. The Russian or vapour bath is specially good, as the hot vapour penetrates to the recesses in the respiratory tract, and also increases the activity of the skin. This treatment is 'best taken in tlio evening, followed by a- cold shower and an oil rub. The morning cold bath, cold shower, spray, or sponge, followed by a brisk rub. arc exeeedinglv useful measures in protecting against catching cold. This should not be neglected, as a cold alwavs increases catarrhal troubles. The cold shower, allowing the water to 'fall over the face and neck, is another means of clearing the recesses of mucus.

Patients requiring local treatment or remedies would do well to consult a competent phvsician and obtain a formula suitable to his or her case. Again, those suffering with obstruction in the nasal passages, so that the individual if not able to 'breathe freely through the nostrils, should have an examination, if possible, by a specialist, and have the cause removed, as mouth breathing is a prolific cause of congestion, and irritation of the pharynx, or respiratory cavity back of the soft palate, thus paving 'the way for catarrhal troubles.