Remarks.—If any irritating substance is suspected to have fallen into the ear, efforts must be made to remove it: if it cannot be got at, a small quantity of olive oil may be poured into the cavity; then, by rotating the head, with the affected ear downwards, the substances will often pass out.

SEROUS MEMBRANES.

These membranes derive their name from the serous or watery fluid they secrete, by which their surface is constantly moistened. They are to be found in the three cavities of the chest; namely, one on each side, containing the right and left lung, and the intermediate cavity, occupied by the heart. The portion of the membrane lining the lungs is named the pleura, and that lining and covering the heart is called the pericardium. The membrane lining the abdomen is named the peritoneum. The ventricles of the brain are also lined by this membrane. The serous membranes, after lining their respective cavities, are extended still farther, by being reflected back upon the organs enclosed in their cavities; hence, if it were possible to dissect these membranes from off the parts which they invest, they would have the appearance of a sac without an opening. In the natural state, these membranes are exceedingly thin and transparent; but they become thickened by disease, and lose their transparency. The excessive discharge of fluids into cavities lined by these membranes constitutes the different forms of dropsy, on which we shall now treat.

DROPSY.

This disease consists in the accumulation of fluid in a cavity of the body, as the abdomen or belly, the chest, and ventricles of the brain, or in the cellular membrane under the skin. As the treatment of the several forms of dropsy requires that the same indications shall be fulfilled,—viz., to equalize the circulation, invite action to the surface, promote absorption, and invigorate the general system,—so it matters but little whether the effusion takes place under the skin, producing anasarca, or within the chest or abdomen. The popular treatment, which comprehends blood-letting, physicking, and the use of powerful diuretics, has proved notoriously unsuccessful. Blood-letting is charged as one of the direct causes of dropsy: how then can it be expected that a system that will produce this form of disease can ever cure it? In reference to physicking, if the bowels are forced to remove the excess of fluids in a short time, they become much exhausted, lose their tone, and do not recover their healthy power for some time. Dr. Curtis says, "May we not give diuretics and drastic cathartics in dropsy? I answer, if you do, and carry off the fluids of the body in those directions, as you sometimes may, you have not always removed the cause of the disease, which was the closing of the surface, or stoppage of some natural secretion, while you have rendered the patient liable to other forms of disease, quite as much to be dreaded as the dropsy which was exchanged for it." Mild diuretic medicines may, however, be given, provided attention he paid at the same time to the lungs and external surface. The kidneys, lungs, and external surface constitute the great outlets through which the excess of fluids finds egress; and if one of these functions be excited to dislodge an accumulation of fluid, without the coöperation of the rest, the excessive action is sure to injure the organ; hence it is an injurious practice, and ought to be rejected.

Causes.—Dropsy will occasionally be produced by the sudden stopping of any evacuation; for example, if a diarrhœig;a be checked too suddenly, it frequently results in dropsy of the belly. In pleurisy, and when blood-letting has been practised to any extent, dropsy of the chest will be the consequence. Exposure, poor diet, diseases of the liver and spleen, want of exercise, and poisonous medicines are among the general causes of dropsy.

Treatment.—It is a law of the animal economy that all fluids are determined to those surfaces from which they can most readily escape. Now, instead of cramming down nauseous and poisonous drugs, with a view of carrying off the fluid by the kidneys, we should restore the lost function of the external exhalents, by warmth, moisture, friction, and the application of stimulating embrocations to the general surface. The following embrocation may be applied to the spine, ears, belly, and legs:—

Oil of cedar,1 ounce.
Oil of juniper,1 ounce.
Soft soap,1 pound.