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Earache.The most frequent cause of earache in children is an inflammation of the middle ear. The symptoms of this affection have been already described and the treatment mentioned. It is important that such a case be not passed over as " earache,'' and be treated simply by pouring laudanum into the ear, and by similar measures which are intended simply to relieve pain ; for the pain is a symptom of a serious affection which must be relieved, so far as possible, by energetic treatment. Let it be remembered, therefore, that every case of earache in children should be most carefully examined to ascertain the cause, and in most cases requires the services of a surgeon. A second frequent cause of earache, especially in adults, proceeds from decayed teeth. If this be the case, there will usually be evidence of the probable nature of the pain in the condition of the teeth. If there be any doubt about it, a few light blows upon the teeth will usually serve to reveal the existence of tenderness, and probably of decay. In such cases the pain in the ear will probably never be entirely relieved until the teeth are properly attended to. Yet it should be said by way of warning that a slight tenderness of the teeth is apt to accompany earache, when the latter is of simply neuralgic character, even though there be no decay of the teeth. In such cases pressure upon the teeth causes slight pain, but not the acute and intense pain which occurs if the teeth be,decayed. A third variety of earache is a neuralgia affecting the nerves of the side of the face. This is felt chiefly in the ear, but usually spreads over the side of the head and over the cheek and neck. Treatment.-In undertaking to treat an earache, the first item is, of course, to ascertain the cause of the pain. If the pain be caused by an inflammation in the middle ear, it will usually be of a throbbing character and accompanied by deafness, and perhaps by delirium and convulsions. The treatment for this affection has been already outlined. If the pain proceed from decayed teeth, pressure upon the teeth will usually indicate its origin ; in this case the measures to be used consist in attention to the teeth. If the pain be of purely neuralgic character, the patient's general condition will usually indicate a depraved state of health. In these cases it is desirable to use tonics, and to apply sedative ointments to the ear. For this purpose we may give the following : Quinine, - Thirty grains. Extract of nux vomica, - - Five grains. Mix, and make twenty pills. Take one before meals. An ointment may be made after the following prescription: Veratria, ----- Fifteen grains. Vaseline, ----- One ounce. This may be applied to the skin around the ear. In some cases relief can be obtained by penciling the surface with the tincture of aconite. If this condition be obstinate, and if the pain recur at short intervals, a cure can be effected only by the strictest attention to all the details which can improve the patient's general condition. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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