MIDDLE-EAR DISORDERS. — A few myxoedeniatous patients, suffering from deafness, having improved in hearing during the administration of thyroid ex tract, several observers gave this drug a trial in chronic adhesive processes of the middle ear uncomplicated with myxce dema. Various results have been ob tained, success or non-success evidently depending in a marked way upon the degree of thickening and ankylosis that may be present. On the whole, thyroid is not of much value in aural diseases.
Results obtained in a number of pa tients in Politzer's clinic, commencing with 1 tabloid daily, and increasing them in a fortnight's time to 3 per diem. After four weeks of treatment the drug was discontinued for a week, and again resumed. No bad symptoms observed. At first marked impairment in hearing, both to loud speech and to whisper, while tuning-fork vibrations were better heard through the bone. Sixteen cases remained under treatment and observa tion from six to eight weeks. Eight re mained subjectively and objectively un changed. Of the remaining eight, two showed evident improvement; four gave a satisfactory result; while in two there was a marked and continued improve went in hearing. Briihl (illonat. f.
Oliren., Jan., '97).
Eight cases of sclerosis of the middle ear treated with thyroid tablets, about 5 grains given daily for periods varying from thirty to eighty days. In none of
the cases were there any bad results, either in the ears or general system. A permanent improvement in hearing was obtained in three of the eight eases. A. Eitelberg (Archiv f. Ohren., vol. xliii, Part 1, '97).
Trial of thyroidin in fourteen cases of deafness—due in eight cases to adhesive processes, in six to sclerosis. All the cases had previously undergone other treatment without success. Treatment terminated at the end of three weeks where no improvement had occurred. Nine cases showed no improvement. Two had some diminution of tinnitus. In two a marked gain in hearing was experi enced. Illorpurgo (Rev. llebd. de Ear., Apr. 23, '93).
Results arrived at by careful treat ment, after the manner of Brithl, of 21 eases of middle-ear disease with thyroid. Duration of disease varied from one to twenty years. There were 15 eases of sclerosis, 3 of middle-ear catarrh with ossicular ankylosis, and 3 of ossicular ankylosis following suppurative disease. Nearly all the cases had already been treated in other ways. In no single case did any benefit result from the thyroid, although several eases were benefited by being treated by other methods. Mac leod Yearsley (Jour. of Laryng.. Rhin., and Otol., Sept., '9S).