Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 68, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1916 — Treatment of Common Ailments of the Ear [ARTICLE]

Treatment of Common Ailments of the Ear

Earache in children 1b best treated by using hot water. This not only gives the most prompt relief from pain, but Is also one of the best remedies employed to stop Inflammation and prevent a running ear. Fill the ear with water ns hot as It can be borne, using a common medicine dropper. Next remove a dropperful of water and replace It with a dropperful of hot water, pressing the bulb between the thumb and linger three or four times to mix thoroughly. Keep this up for twenty minutes and repeat every two to four hours as needed to control the pain. In case the pain continues after two or three treatments a physician should be consulted. Boils in the ear are treated in the same manner. Eczema of the external portion of the ear Is usually relieved by the application of zinc oxide ointment, keeping the surface covered continuously. This can be procured under this name from any druggist. Children with sensitive ears should protect them by wearing a little plug of cotton in the ear when out of doors in cold or windy weather, especially if driving in an open vehicle. Frozen or frosted ears should first be thawed out by very cold water or snow and then covered by olive oil or vaseline. In case an insect gets into the ear drop a few drops of sweet, oil (olive oil) in the canal and then wash out gently with warm water, using a medicine dropper. The insect will usually float out. A foreign body should be treated in the same way, but if it does not come out easily a physician should be seen at once. Under no circumstances should the removal be attempted by means of forceps or other instruments, as the foreign body is very apt to be pushed down so far in the canal that it will be very difficult to remove.