Wax in the Ear

This is taken from The Family Medical guide ©1871

INDURATED WAX IN THE EAR.
Any person suffering from this hears unusual sounds, as of the sea roaring, or gas escaping by a small orifice, and, by looking into the ear, with the aid of a reflector, the obstruction of dark-coloured wax is seen at the bottom of the ear.
Treatment.—Indnrated wax is easily removed by syringing the ear with a four-ounce syringe, which every family should have.
When syringing the ear, the point of the syringe should not be inserted into the passage, so as to block it up and prevent the water from flowing out, for by doing so the drum of the ear might be ruptured. But by holding the syringe a short distance—about half an inch—from the ear, it can be syringed any number of times with perfect safety : and to remove indurated wax requires repeated applications of the syringe.
If the wax be very hard, it can be softened by dropping a little brandy or other spirit into the ear, and stopping the passage with wool or cotton, to retain the moisture: but syringing with warm water and soap is generally sufficient.
After the wax is removed the ear is more than usually susceptible of cold, and should not be exposed to it for a few days.
INSECTS
occasionally get into the ear, and should be removed by dropping into the ear a saturated solution of salt and water, and then syringing them out with warm water.