Correlation of Clinical Otitis Externa With Mycobacteriologic Studies

OTITIS externa still presents a problem to the otolaryngologist. The gamut of therapeutic procedures employed in the treatment of this condition substantiates this opinion. Hot and humid weather conditions greatly increase the incidence of otitis externa. During the last war I had an opportunity to study this disease while stationed in a tropical climate in the Solomon Islands. During one year 620 cases of acute and chronic infections of the external canal of the ear were examined and treated in our hospital and clinic. In addition, several hundred cases were examined on other islands in the Solomon group. In all, more than 1,000 cases were observed. The high incidence of otitis externa in tropical climates has been reported by other observers. Quayle1reported an incidence of 50% of otitis externa in the ear, nose, and throat conditions among Australian troops in a hospital in New Guinea. Collins2encountered