The delicate yet important organ of the ear is subject to many diseases and accidents. The most frequent mischief to which the _external_ part of the organ is subject, is partial or complete loss of the cartilage or shell of the ear, a result that either follows sabre cuts, gunshot wounds, or sloughing from blows or pressure. Inflammation seldom attacks the external parts, or, if it does, is in general of an erysipelatous character. When the cartilage has been lacerated, or part of its structure destroyed, the separated parts are to be placed as near as possible in their natural position, and kept together by two or three stitches, a warm moist poultice laid over the part, and a light bandage passed round the head to keep the dressing in its place. The external ear is also frequently the seat of scrofulous ulcers and ill-conditioned sores, and the skin behind the ear is particularly liable to small encysted tumours, which are very tedious in their suppuration, and cause considerable pain and inconvenience. The treatment is nearly the same for all these affections; a course of alterative and tonic medicines, a warm bran or bread poultice night and morning on the part, and when the discharge is fœtid and thin, a lotion made by dissolving two grains of nitrate of silver in an ounce of rose or distilled water, is to be used as a wash to the sores, once or twice a day; in very obstinate cases a small blister applied to the nape of the neck will speedily effect a cure, though in general, cleanliness, attention to the diet, and an alterative and tonic course of medicine, will effect a sure and far more satisfactory cure than can be obtained by any counter-irritant remedy that can be used. _Ear-ache_ is a very painful affection of the auditory passage, consequent on cold or a slight degree of inflammation in the membrane of the ear; in all such affections the soothing system will be found the best and safest practice, and this consists of a little cotton dipped in oil with a few drops of laudanum placed in the ear, and a warm bran poultice over all, repeating the poultice every two hours; when, however, the pain is more intense, apply a leech below or behind the ear, and promote the bleeding by poultices. AFFECTIONS OF THE LIPS.