COUNTRY MOUSE.—Earache is by no means always due to trouble with the ear. Indeed, pain of any kind is an uncommon symptom of ear disease, and it is only in acute inflammation of the drum that pain is at all common. Earache is most often a “referred pain,” that is, it is a pain in one nerve due to irritation of another nerve connected with it. This phenomenon of referred pain is exceedingly common. The nerve which chiefly supplies the skin about the ear is a branch of the inferior dental nerve, which supplies the sensation to the lower teeth. Consequently the presence of carious teeth in the lower jaw is an exceedingly common cause of earache, and is for certain the cause of the pain which you suffer. You can tell whether pain about the ear is due to ear trouble or to this referred pain, because in the former case the pain is deeply seated, whereas in referred pain the pain is situated in the skin about the ear. Moreover, in this latter case the skin about the ear may be acutely tender. [Illustration] MISCELLANEOUS. MRS. C——S.—You give no pseudonym. In the Annotated Bible there is a note on this subject which points out that Nahash may have been another name of Jesse, the father of David. The ancient Jews are said to have thought that Abigail and Zeruiah were daughters of David’s mother by Nahash, King of Ammon, before her marriage with Jesse, as it is not said they _were daughters of Jesse_ anywhere, although they are called sisters of David. All this is, however, conjectural. Nahash means a serpent. ANNA MARIA.—1. You would require a proper butter-mould for it.—2. It is never proper to shorten words, such as “cd.,” “wld.,” “wk.” for work, or “tly.” for truly, at least in writing letters. If your time be so limited, it is better to put off writing your letter till you have more time. Such abbreviations are only intended for business men, and are wholly unnecessary in polite letter-writing. DOWDNEY.—We have not heard of any lady veterinary surgeons, nor do we find that there is any opening for their education as yet. Why spell Britain as “Brittian”? The rest of your letter is quite correct. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is at 10, Red Lion Square, W.C. Write and inquire of the Secretary. OPEN SESAME.—We think the best plan is to go to a good and trustworthy hairdresser, if you have determined to have your hair dyed, but we will give you an old-fashioned hair “restorer” or “darkener,” as follows:—rust of iron, 1 drachm, old ale, strong and unsweetened, 1 pint, oil of rosemary, 12 drops. Put this mixture into a bottle, cork very loosely, agitate it daily for ten or twelve days, then after an hour’s waiting, decant the clear portion for use. Rain water may be substituted for the ale if you wish it. This mixture will ironmould linen clothes.