In order to protect the diseased parts, a soft cap should be used, and within the ear a little cotton wadding may defend the ear from injury.
Dr. Mercer very properly remarks that, in the second or chondromatous variety of polypus of the
meatus
, the treatment must depend upon the concomitant circumstances. If the tumour is seated close to the
membrana tympani
, and has a broad and sessile base, then it cannot be excised or noosed with any degree of success. It must therefore be treated by the daily application of the solid nitrate of silver, applied exactly to its surface; and, in the intervals of application, the use of any collyria may be had recourse to. If the substance of the growth be firm and solid, and possess little sensibility, then a very speedy mode of getting rid of it is to divide its substance with a small knife; and afterwards, by applying the solid nitrate of silver, the tumour will soon be sloughed away.
[Contents]/[Detailed Contents, p. 5]/[Index]