Aetiological evaluation of foreign bodies in the ear and nose.

A clinical study has revealed that irritation caused by pre-existing diseases of the ear (e.g. chronic otitis externa, wax with chronic otitis externa, C.S.O.M. with otitis externa or the presence of wax in the meatus) and by those of the nose (e.g. acute or chronic rhinitis, chronic vestibulitis or the presence of dried, thick sticky mucus in the vestibule of the nose in the resolving stage of a common cold) are the major aetiological factor in foreign bodies in the ear and nose. Boredom, curiosity, whims to explore the natural cavities of the body, habit, acts of imitation, fun-making and mental retardation are only minor aetiological factors.