Towns > Glasgow > 1828-1912 - Post-Office annual Glasgow directory > 1866-1867

176 ADVERTISEMENTS.
DEAFNESS.
AlTlsTIJ AL B E P O B T
BY
S. E. SMITH, Esq., M.R.C.S.E.,
94 WEST REGENT STREET, GLASGOW,
Of Cases of Deafness, Diseases of the Ear, Throat and Nose, Treated by him during his
First Twelvemonth's Residence in Scotland.
Cures. Under Treatment.
Patients from 2 to 21 years of age, 178 139
" 21 to 40 " 321 277
" 40 to 60 " 146 97
60 to 90 " 33 51
IN the above Table the majority of the Cases proceeded from different causes, and required totally different
treatment ; and it will be observed that the ages vary from childhood to an advanced period of life —
namely, many from 60 to 90 years of age, who had suffered from Deafness for 20 or 30 years. In several
of the young cases the speech and hearing were both defective. Many interesting Cures of this nature are
included in the Table.
Deafness prevails to a greater extent in Glasgow and the neighbourhood than in any other town in the
United Kingdom in proportion to size. This may be accounted for by the trades of the district, the habits
of the population, and atmospheric changes. Amongst the occupations producing a direct influence upon
the Membrana Tympani and Tympanum, may be enumerated boiler making, riveting, the noise from
machinery, in fact, all situations in which the vibrations are rapid and excessive. The effect is muck
greater upon men who enter upon such employment late in life than on those who follow them from youth.
In all cases the mischief might be prevented to a great extent by perfect cleanliness of the ears, and wearing
in them while at work a good non-conductor (plugs of cotton-wool, for instance). Next may be enumerated
trades having an influence over the Ceruminous Glands, including all those in which the work-people are
obliged to labour in excessive heat — namely, glass and bakehouses, furnaces, &c, &c. Many of the ill
effects of labouring in such an atmosphere are due to the indiscretion of the work-people suddenly exposing
themselves to currents of cold air, producing thereby rapid action of the glands, or an abundance of the
secretion commonly called wax of the ear, in many instances completely closing the passage of the ear in
a few hours. In some constitutions the effect is, however, totally opposite; the secretory power of the
glands is checked, the ear becomes perfectly dry, and the hearing more or less dull, a certain portion of
wax in the passage being a necessity for a healthy state of hearing. Next may be considered trades having
an influence over the throat and respiratory organs ; those occupations in which the workers inhale a certain
amount of dust and the products of their trade — for instance, bakers, stone masons, grinders, moulders, &c.
— the Throat, Air Passages, and Tympanum frequently becoming complicated ; atmospheric changes also
operate very powerfully upon this class of diseases. These few remarks refer to the minor causes of Deaf-
ness produced by trade influences, without reference to the numerous diseases to which the organ of hearing
is liable from more complicated affections. Deafness, indeed, arises from more than 300 different cause.-,
each requiring its own peculiar mode of treatment. It will, therefore, occur to the reader the impossibility
of giving a correct opinion without a personal examination of the patient, such being required to enable a
proper diagnosis to be made, after which, except where special operations are required, the case may be
treated at a distance.
In answer to numerous letters received by Mr. Smith requesting his advice, he begs to state that he will
not undertake any case without one personal consultation.
N.B. — Hours of Attendance at 94 West Eegent Street, Glasgow, during the Summer Months, commenc-
ing from the present time, will be from Eleven till Three o'clock daily (Saturdays and Sundays excepted).
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