Marked itching and burning and a sensation of fulness occur, both in the acute and chronic forms.
COURSE.—The acute variety may last only a few days, but as a rule tends to recur at frequent intervals. The chronic variety can last almost any length of time, and will often prove to be most obstinate.
TREATMENT.—Acute Variety.—The first indication is to relieve the burning and itching. This is often best done by the use of some mild anodyne powder which protects the part from the air and tends to relieve the existing skin irritation. Finely-powdered starch dusted over the part is a good remedy. One of the best anodyne powders is that of McCall Anderson:
| Rx. | Pulv. camphoræ, | drachm iss; |
| Pulv. zinci oxid. | ounce ss; | |
| Pulv. amyli, | ounce j. |
To be dusted over the inflamed surface.
Often there will be difficulty in preventing the powder from falling off. When this is the case a very thin coating of the skin with the oxide-of-zinc ointment furnishes an excellent ground for the powder to adhere to. The oxide-of-zinc ointment alone is also an excellent application.
In the chronic variety a more stimulating application is needful, and some preparation of tar will prove valuable, such as—
| Rx. | Ungt. picis liquidæ, | drachm j-drachm iij; |
| Ungt. zinci oxid. | ounce j. |
The crusts that collect on the auricle are best removed by a poultice of bread and milk, or a cotton pad moistened with olive oil can be bound over it for a few hours, and will serve to cleanse the part. In the very chronic cases, where points of suppuration are found, a caustic application like nitrate of silver is needed. Careful regulation of the diet and habits of the patient is indicated; an outdoor life, abstinence from alcohol and tobacco, nutritious food, will greatly aid. Iron, quinine, cod-liver oil can be used frequently with good results, while in teething children incising of the gums will sometimes give temporary relief.
Diseases of the External Auditory Canal.