Deafness

Deafness generally arises from deficient secretion of wax in the ear. The following remedy is in some cases useful :— Oil of turpentine, half a dram ; olive oil, two drams ; mix, and insert a couple of drops in the ear at bed-time.

Oil of bitter almonds also proves of great service in the treatment of this ailment, especially if a few drops of turpentine or camphor liniment be added to the oil. If the deafness arises from nervous debility a course of tonic medicines should be taken, the diet strictly attended to, and a clove of garlic wrapped in muslin, or a few drops of the juice, introduced into the ear.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Earache

Caused sometimes by bad teeth, but generally by cold or hardened ear wax.

Hold ear over cloth wrung out of hot water, on which are several drops of alcohol. Syringe ear with warm bicarbonate of soda water — 1 tsp. to a cup; or peroxide of hydrogen water — 1 tbsp. to a cup of water.

One drop laudanum, or one drop arnica to three drops very warm olive oil, dropped into ear with a medicine dropper, often relieves pain; or cotton may be saturated with the warm olive oil and placed in the ear and covered with dry cotton. To prevent hardening of wax: keep ear anointed with ordinary red vaseline (unbleached vaseline). For watery discharge of ear, dust with dry boric acid.

Source: The Mary Frances First Aid Book, Jane Eayre Fryer