While many adequate tests for vestibular, or labyrinthine, function have been described in the literature,1 we have found the following procedure to be the most satisfactory for our use under most circumstances. Because of its simplicity we feel it worth while reporting for the benefit of those who feel the need for a quick and reliable qualitative determination of labyrinthine function and which can be done with a bare minimum of effort and equipment.
Our method must be considered as similar in results and physiologic response to that described by Kobrak in that it is a "minimal stimulation" test employing an agent to "chill" the vestibular apparatus.
The agent used is a solution of 70% ethyl alcohol, which is a commonly stocked material on almost every physician's treatment cabinet. This is dropped into the external canal of the ear to be tested, with a medicine dropper, after the patient