The past decade has witnessed an extraordinary development in both interest in and understanding of the deafened person's problems. Otologists now are approaching the matter with a realization that their total contribution to the subject has been relatively insignificant and that this great group of seriously handicapped persons has not received the assistance which it desperately needs. This awakened interest cannot fail to add eventually not only to the knowledge of the subject but also to the therapeutic possibilities, which are now so inadequate.
Articles appear from time to time reporting work done under the auspices of foundations or individual grants devoted to the prevention, treatment and obviation of deafness, and yet the actual help derived at the present time by persons so disabled is little more than negligible. The fact that certain types of meningitis can now be treated effectively can scarcely be claimed as a contribution by the