Otitis Media and Mastoiditis in Infancy

Couper, Edward C. Ross (1938) Otitis Media and Mastoiditis in Infancy. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

The problem of the "diarrhoea and vomiting syndrome" in infancy is one which has interested paediatricians for many years. The striking clinical picture, the definite seasonal incidence and the more or less complete failure to find a satisfactory bacteriological explanation make the problem one of peculiar fascination, while the high mortality rate and the unsatisfactory therapeutic results render it one of the utmost importance in paediatrics. Of recent years, particularly on the continent and in America, the conception has gained ground that a certain proportion of such cases, variously described as "diarrhoea and vomiting syndrome","cholera infantum", or "alimentary intoxication" may be due to a source of infection (parenteral) in the naso-pharynx, nasal accessory sinuses, middle ears or mastoid antra, special stress being laid on the middle ears and mastoid antra. It is suggested in addition that mastoiditis does not manifest itself with the classical picture so well recognised in the older child or adult, but remains "latent", thereby causing difficulty in diagnosis and treatment. The present thesis is an attempt to assess: (1) the part played by otitis media and mastoiditis in the high morbidity and mortality rates of infancy; (2) the value of certain methods of investigation; (3) the value of treatment, operative and non-operative. It is based upon an investigation of fifty infants under the age of one year suffering with an illness character ised by otitis media sometimes with mastoiditis) and varying degrees of diarrhoea and vomiting.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine
• Date of Award: 1938
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1938-80161
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 03 Mar 2020 00:16
• Last Modified: 03 Mar 2020 00:16
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/80161