Note o — BOOK IV.

That there is such a Thing as the innate Air, (talked of much by most Authors on this Subject) Schelhammer very justly, I think, denies, by Reason there is a Passage into the inner Ear from the Throat, through which the innate Air may pass out, and the outward Air enter in. V. Par. Alt. p. 2. c. 1. §. 10. When by stopping our Breath, and Straining, we force the external Air into the Ear, it may be heard rushing in; and if much be forced in, it may be felt also to beat against the Tympanum. When the Passage to the Throat is by any Means stopp’d, as by a Cold in the Head, &c. the Hearing thereby becomes dull and blunt; by Reason the Communication between the outward and inward Air are obstructed: But when by strong Swallowing, or such-like Motion of the Throat, the Passage is opened, we perceive it by a sudden Smack or Crack, and we immediately hear very clearly; the load of feculent Air being at that Time discharged from the inner Ear.

It is a wise Provision, that the Passage for the Air into the Ear, is from the Throat; Ut non statim quivis aer externus irrumpere queat (as Schelhammer saith, Par. Ult. c. 4. §. 8.) sed nonnihil immutatus, ac temperatus, calore ex medio ventre exspirante; imò fortassis non facilè alius, nisi ex pulmonibus.