Otology in the Bible and Talmud

The present paper is an English translation of the chapter of Otology in Preuss's classic book Biblisch-Talmudische Medizin. Described in the Talmud are a variety of anatomical ear abnormalities such as double ear, pierced ears, small ears, cut off ears, and pendulous ears. A slave whose ear was wounded had to be freed. Compensation for injury to the ear and to hearing is clearly noted. Remedies for earache are mentioned. The legal status of a deaf-mute, and the relationship of deafness to muteness are also discussed in the Talmud.