2.  Deafness.  Often Tried Remedy for.—­“Take one dram each of tincture of lobelia, tincture of gum myrrh, oil of sassafras, tincture of opium and olive oil, mix and apply lint wet with the liniment in the ear, night, and morning, then syringe out with warm water and castile soap.”

3.  Deafness, My Mother, in Galt, Found Mullein Good for.—­“Small blossoms of mullein, fill bottles and cork, hang in sun till oil forms, drop three drops every third day in the ear for three or four weeks.  We tried this successfully in our family.”

Earache.—­The general belief exists that earache is something which is quite harmless and entirely different from a genuine inflammation of the ear.  This belief is strengthened by the fact that the great majority of earaches subside without inflicting any harm upon the ear.  As soon as a discharge appears, in many cases, there is relief.  If a discharge appears, the earache was the result of an inflammation in the ear.  So-called earache lasts but a short time, and can be relieved by either hot or cold applications; but when the earache continues for a day or more it is an indication of more than pain in the ear and if a thorough examination is made there will, no doubt, be found disease of the ear that is causing the earache.  Then the disease proper should be treated.

[368 Mothers’ remedies]

Treatment.—­Hot or cold applications are of benefit.  With the patient lying upon the well ear, fill the canal with hot water (105 degrees F.).  Then place over the ear a flaxseed poultice or a roasted onion poultice, four to five inches square and one-half inch thick and spread over all a folded shawl.  Bread and milk makes a good poultice also.  A hot bran bag or a hot salt bag is good.  The heat must be continuous.

Mothers’ remedies. 1.  Earache, Hot Raisin for.—­“Hot raisins sometimes relieve earache.  Soak them in hot milk and change frequently.”  This is an excellent remedy.  The raisins should be placed in the ear canal, and they are sure to give relief.

2.  Earache, Flax and Cornmeal for.—­“Flaxseed and cornmeal in oil.”  Take equal parts of flaxseed and cornmeal and mix together, then add enough sweet oil to moisten this mixture.  This should be applied hot and kept so by repeating as each poultice is cold.  This will be found very beneficial.

3.  Earache, Soothing Home Remedy for.—­“Glycerin and laudanum heated and dropped in the ear.  Hot poultice of hops inclosed in cotton bag and applied to the ear is very soothing.”  The glycerin and laudanum will give temporary relief and the hops poultice retains the heat, which is one of the essential things in earache.

4.  Earache, Horse-radish Leaves for.—­“Steaming the face and ear with crushed horseradish leaves will give relief and soothes one to sleep.”  When through steaming the face the horseradish leaves should be applied to the face and ear as a poultice.  This is very soothing.