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Of Medicine, in Eight Books

Chapter 161: CHAP. VIII. OF THE OPERATIONS REQUISITE IN THE EARS.
By Aulus Cornelius Celsus
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About This Book

It gathers medical knowledge into eight concise books that combine clinical observation, diagnosis, prognosis, and practical treatment. Chapters cover diet and regimen, descriptions of internal diseases and external injuries, medicinal preparations, and operative techniques with instructions for wound care and minor surgery. The text emphasizes careful observation and clear symptom description, pairing theoretical causes with hands-on remedies and measurements. Explanatory notes and technical detail support immediate clinical use, making the collection a practical reference for assessing, managing, and treating a broad range of conditions.

CHAP. VIII. OF THE OPERATIONS REQUISITE IN THE EARS.

But as the eyes require many operations, so in the ears there are very few disorders, which come under this branch of medicine. However it sometimes happens, either immediately from the birth, or some time after, when there has been an ulceration, and the ear has been filled by a cicatrix, that there is no opening in it, and there it is deprived of the faculty of hearing. When this happens, trial must be made with a probe whether it be filled up to any depth, or be only agglutinated in the surface. For if it be deep, it does not yield to the pressure; if superficial, it presently receives the probe. The first ought not to be touched, lest a convulsion follow without any hopes of success, and from that there may be a danger of death; the other is easily cured. For where the foramen ought to be, either some caustic medicine must be applied, or it must be opened by the actual cautery, or even cut with a knife. And when that is opened, and the ulcer is clean, a quill must be introduced there, armed with a cicatrizing medicine; and round something must be applied, to promote the healing of the skin about the quill; the effect of which is, that after it is removed, the patient has the faculty of hearing.

But where the ears have been bored and give offence, it is sufficient to pass a hot needle through the cavity very quick, that its lips may be slightly ulcerated; or even to ulcerate it with a caustic medicine; then afterwards to apply something to deterge it; next somewhat to fill up the part, and bring on a cicatrix. But if this opening be large, as it generally is in those who have worn heavy ear-rings, it is proper to cut through what remains,(17) to its extremity; then above that to scarify the edges of the foramen with a knife, and afterwards to stitch them, and apply an agglutinating medicine. The third case consists in giving a supply to any part, that is deficient; which as it may also be done in the lips and nose, and the method is the same, it will be best to treat of it once for all.