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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 38

Case III

Case III.

Deafness from Explosion of a Shell. Mr. K., aged 47, page 34 resident of this city, lost his hearing from an explosion of a shell during an engagement in the late war. Both drumheads are completely destroyed. Is quite deaf to the voice and all ordinary sounds. Can distinguish words when spoken very loudly, within six inches of his ear. Tuning-fork not plainly heard on his head, but more plainly on his teeth. Told me he had not heard the sound of any bell since 1864, when he received the injury. This statement seemed incredible, yet I regarded him as a truthful man. I immediately obtained an ordinary sized dinner bell, and rang it as loudly as possible by the side of his head, but he said he could hear no sound, but that he could feel the vibrations. I then handed him one of Mr. R. S. Rhodes' Audiphones (A No. 702), and directed him how to use the same, placing myself some five feet away. I then rang the bell and gradually approached him, and when about three feet away he expressed great joy at hearing the natural ringing sound. He also said "I can hear you talk and understand first rate what you say when I have this instrument against my teeth. I then placed myself at a distance of twenty feet from him, and spoke in an ordinary tone of voice, asking him several questions, and he answered them all correctly, He then said "I find I need not talk so loud as I hear very plainly what I myself say." Regarding this test very thorough, as well as very satisfactory in its results, I then took a seat some five feet from him, and engaged in a conversation with him, and in a rather low tone of voice, but still he understood every word. Here I may congratulate Mr. Rhodes on the success of his invention, and my patient on his good fortune in deriving such signal benefit from the same.