Careful inspection will generally settle the matter. The duration of the malady is of importance when forming an opinion. In bad cases the discharge drops from the ears, emitting a most offensive odour. _Treatment._--Cleanse ears thoroughly with warm water and a little spirit of wine. Syringe out daily. Pour in some of the following lotion night and morning. Rx Glycerine 2 ounces Laudanum ½ ounce Lead acetate ½ drachm Water added 8 ounces Mix. Warm before use. Milder cases can be cured by dusting boracic acid powder into ear night and morning, and for parasitic canker, use in the same way a little white precipitate (ammoniated chloride of mercury). Give a dose of purgative medicine, such as Epsom salts, and then follow up with a course of alterative medicine. (_See_ RECIPES). SPLIT MARGIN Injuries of the flap of the ear are often very troublesome to treat successfully. On this account such sores are spoken of as _external canker_, in contradistinction to the disease previously discussed. When the ear has been torn, it is necessary to have professional aid to make a satisfactory job of it. An effort must be made to get the edges of the torn surfaces to heal by what is called first intention. ECZEMA OF THE EARS The margins of the flaps of the ears are commonly the seat of a dry eczematous eruption. They become scaly, thickened, and hairless. Many dogs have their ears in this condition for years; nevertheless, it is very unsightly, and the longer it exists the more the trouble of eradicating it. Apply with friction an ointment, composed as follows, night and morning. Rx Oil of tar 2 drachms Glycerine 2 drachms Powdered sulphur ½ ounce Creosote 1 drachm Lard added 4 ounces Mix and rub well in all around the margins, for twenty minutes each time. In addition to this, give a 5-grain blue pill, feed on meat and bread, giving less dog-biscuit, if this has been the principal food. A course of alterative medicine will be required. DEAFNESS Deafness may be "complete" or only "partial," and confined to one, or affecting both ears. In some dogs it is congenital, _i.e._, present from birth; in others acquired. Severe canker will cause deafness, so will a blow over the ear. Morbid growths in the passage, and accumulation of waxy material, etc., will likewise produce "partial" or "complete" loss of hearing. Treatment must be directed to the removal--whenever possible--of the cause. MORBID GROWTHS IN THE EAR-PASSAGE Occasionally the middle ear is the seat of various morbid growths, either of a wart-like character, or as small-stalked tumours, causing complete or partial deafness, in accordance with the occluding area involved. Surgical treatment is necessary, excepting in the case of a single-stalked growth (polypus), around which a thin piece of twine or wire can be fixed. It will then slough off.