DROPSY OF THE EAR-FLAP--OTITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF THE EAR--OTORRHŒA OR CANKER--SPLIT MARGIN--ECZEMA OF EARS--DEAFNESS--MORBID GROWTHS IN PASSAGE--CONCRETIONS--SYRINGING EARS. DROPSY OF THE EAR-FLAP Long-eared dogs--more especially Spaniels and Retrievers--are very liable to suffer from this complaint. In some instances the causes are, probably, of a constitutional nature, but as a rule it is the result of a bruise. The bruise gives rise to the production of an inflammatory effusion between the skin and cartilage of the external ear, causing a baggy-like swelling, compressible with the finger, and alterable in shape when the external ear is manipulated. The old, and by far the most satisfactory way of dealing with this serous (watery) abscess is to make a free cut into it. Introduce the finger into the wound and break down adhesions; then wash out with a little iodine and water. Keep wound open for a few days. This will always effect a cure. OTITIS OR INFLAMMATION OF EAR The passage of the ear is reddened and causes the dog to rub his sore ear, or even cry from the pain. Very frequently this condition is accompanied by a fetid discharge; if so, it is spoken of as internal canker of ear. A little cooling lotion, such as a couple of teaspoonfuls of Goulard, in eight ounces of water, applied night and morning, will usually suffice to cure this complaint. At same time give a dose of purgative medicine. OTORRHŒA OR CANKER OF EAR This is an exceedingly common disease of dogs, and when it has been allowed to run on unchecked becomes very intractable. When the internal ear is in a diseased condition, _i.e._, disease of the bones, etc., the malady is incurable. In the majority of instances the middle ear alone is the seat of inflammatory action and suppuration, and usually curable. One form of ear canker is produced by parasites (_Symbiotes auricularis canis_) invading the passage. The ordinary form of canker is the result of some slight abrasion of the middle ear, and subsequent infection of the wound by germs. The secretion of the ear and constitutional predisposition towards eczema have no doubt an influence in determining the onset of canker, of a non-parasitic nature. The entrance of water and other foreign materials is thought to be equally productive of this disease, but, as already stated, in all probability it is necessary to have some slight excoriation of the lining membrane. Turning the head to one side--when one ear is affected, though frequently both are diseased--pain when the ear is manipulated, revealing, on close inspection of the passage, increased redness, with a sooty-like deposit (dry form), or moisture (moist form), passing into various stages of suppuration, are the usual signs of this disease. Frequently the pus is mingled with blood, the latter either coming from the tender abraded lining of the middle ear, or, may be, from disease of the bones.