The next thing to do is to amend the diet so that as little waste as possible shall be formed. Rice is the cereal that contains the least amount of waste of any kind and this should therefore be the cereal selected. The wholemeal, although good for most people, is not suited to this case. A strict salt-free diet is also necessary, as it is often the retention of salt in the system that leads to the presence of eczema. The following amended diet should suit the case, and it should be continued until the skin has quite cleared itself:-- _On rising._--Cup of filtered boiled rain-water. _Breakfast._--Cottage cheese, 2 oz.; rice, boiled or steamed without salt (large plateful), with Granose biscuits or toasted "Maltweat" bread. _At_ 11 A.M.--More rain-water (not fruit). _Lunch._--The same as breakfast. _Tea._--Hot rain-water only. _Supper, 6.30._--The same as breakfast. When the skin is quite clear the correspondent can return to the wholemeal bread (but biscuits made with "Artox" would be better than the yeastless bread), and also to a more varied diet generally, as at present. DEAFNESS. J.G. writes:--My hearing got bad about twenty years ago, caused I think by a cold in the head. When in bed I can hear the tick of a watch with the left ear but the other is almost stone deaf. I am not much at a loss in ordinary conversation, but in trying to hear people speak I lose much of what is said. Although I have no real pain, my head is rarely clear, feeling full and congested. I have now and again a slight sensation of giddiness or reeling. The right ear runs some offensive matter, and there is always a hissing sound. I live what is, I think, a simple life, but I must confess to a little smoking. My general health is good. I am a working farmer and fairly active for one of my age (69). My diet is generally as follows: _On rising._--One or two cups of warm water, sometimes with lemon juice. _Breakfast._--An apple or orange, oatcake and dairy butter. Baker's bread and one cup of tea. _Lunch._--Nil, or perhaps I should say that I eat an apple or orange before each meal or a bit of turnip or even cabbage. _Supper._--Potatoes with fish, and milk pudding. On some days it may be broth with meat cooked in it. _Before retiring._--Nothing but water, or at other times oatcake and one cup of milk. There does not seem to be much prospect of this correspondent recovering the hearing of his right ear, as the conditions have lasted so long. He might, however, certainly try by diet and hygiene to get rid of the unpleasant discharge and the noises. To effect this he should carefully syringe the ear once or twice a day with a weak solution (1 grain to the ounce) of permanganate of potash, using an all-rubber ear-syringe.