Ossicular calisthenics: Pneumomassage of the tympanic membrane

Practice of Otology During the First Quarter Century of the American Otological Society (1868-1893)

OBJECTIVE

To describe the practice of otology in America during the first quarter century of the American Otological Society (AOS).

METHODS

Two sources were used to determine the most prevalent disease conditions cared for and surgical procedures undertaken during this era. All articles published in the AOS transactions between 1868 and 1893 were studied as were the otology textbooks published by 6 of the first 10 Presidents of the Society.

RESULTS

The primary emphasis of late 19th century American otological scholarship was on chronic ear infection with numerous articles focusing on complications of otitis including frequent descriptions of fatalities. Much emphasis was placed upon the Eustachian tube with catheterization and insufflation a major part of otological practice. Due to limitations in technology, the overwhelming focus was on diseases of the ear canal and middle ear. Understanding of temporal bone anatomy was much superior to that of physiology. Erroneous speculations on the function of the middle and inner ear were common. Surgical interventions were largely limited to myringotomy and mastoidectomy, the latter of which was sometimes life saving during the preantibiotic era.

CONCLUSION

The latter half of the 19th century saw the emergence of otology as a specialty in America and many emerging diagnostic and therapeutic advances were adopted. While capabilities were notably limited during this era, the efforts of a small band of pioneer otologists in the founder generation of the AOS contributed greatly to the progress of the emerging specialty.

Lucae's Springy Pressure Probe to Mobilize the Ossicular Chain: Rise and Fall of an Ingenious Instrument

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESES

In 1884, Johann Constantin August Lucae (1835-1911), a German otologist from Berlin, introduced a new "method to mechanically treat chronic troubles of the mobility of the hearing organ transmission apparatus." It consisted in the use of a springy pressure probe to directly mobilize the handle of the malleus. The aim of this study is to trace the invention, clinical use, technological modifications, and ultimate extinction of this instrument.

METHOD

Review of Lucae's publications, comments by his colleagues, and trade catalogues published between 1880 and 1940.

RESULTS

Lucae presented at least six different models of his springy pressure probe during his career. Some of his colleagues modified it. The success rate was much disputed, and the instrument died with Lucae.

CONCLUSION

Lucae's spring pressure probe is another example of the ingenuity of man to try to find a solution when confronted with an unclear and unresolved otological problem.