Atlas of the external diseases of the eye : including a brief treatise on the pathology and treatment / by O. Haab ; Authorized translation from the German, edited by G.E. de Schweinitz.

  • Haab O. (Otto), 1850-1931.
Date:
1899
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Atlas of the external diseases of the eye : including a brief treatise on the pathology and treatment / by O. Haab ; Authorized translation from the German, edited by G.E. de Schweinitz. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    163/312 (page 133)
    the nodules in the latter disease do not begin to degenerate at the top like eczeina-piistules. In doubtful eases it is only necessary to remember that circumscribed eruptions and their ulcers are ahvays a])proximately circular in shape. The prognosis in simple cojijunctival eczema is always favorable, Avhether the pustules be large or small. The disease is never dangerous, although it may occasion a good deal of discomfort if it is protracted. As an index of the scrofulous habit or debilitated condition of the patient, it is always of some significance, because the cornea in such cases may at any time become involved and endanger the integrity of the visual aj)j)aratus. The treatment is quite simple. The pustules might with propriety be allowed to heal spontaneously ; but it is better to assist the healing process by dusting the affected areas with powdered calomel, as a more radical cure is thereby effected and the danger of recurrence is reduced to a minimum. For the latter reason the treatment should be continued for two weeks after the ulcers have healed. Experience has taught the value of the following pre- cautions in the use of calomel as a dusting-powder : It should not be employed if there is a recent corneal lesion or any general irritative condition ; hence it is conti-aiii- dicated in ‘‘catarrh with swelling.” The drug must be pc'i-fectly pure and as finely powdered as possible by being sifted through a cloth. The ap])lications should be made with a cameFs-hair brush (the excess being removed by tapping against the finger), at the same hour every day, either directly on the pustule or on the lower retrotarsal fold. If the patient is taking large doses of ])otassium iodid at the time of treatment ealomel is contraindicated, as the caustic effect on the conjunctiva would be too great, lodin is eliminated by the conjunctiva as by other mucous membranes—that of the nose, for instance (hence ])otassium- iodid catarrh of the conjunctiva, nose, etc.)—and combines with calomel to form iodids of mercury, which a(;t as severe caustics. I have seen eschars due to this chemical