A guide to the practical study of diseases of the eye : with an outline of their medical and operative treatment. From the 2d London ed.

  • Dixon, James, 1813-1896.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A guide to the practical study of diseases of the eye : with an outline of their medical and operative treatment. From the 2d London ed. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    that the iris was anteriorly convex, a superficial observer might have supposed the cornea to be still in situ and transparent. Discharge had now ceased from both eyes, and the conjunctival vascularity was rapidly diminish- ing.* On the 28th, the left iris began to be overspread with an opaque film, and was gradually hidden from view, as the adhesive deposit became more and more consolidated. I have given the chief details of this case, omitting many of less importance, because, as I have said, it affords ;i good example of severe Gonorrhoea] Ophthal- mia, and especially illustrates the process by which, I believe, the destruction of the cornea is almost always effected; namely, by deep ulceration beginning along its margin, and advancing in the form of a crescentic groove, until it has isolated the central portion, which, being deprived of its supply of nutritive material, be- comes opaque, dies, and is cast off as a slough. If my object had been simply to bring forward an instance of Gonorrhoeal Ophthalmia, successfully treated, I might have made my selection from a considerable number of cases in my note-books, and might have illus- trated the good results which sometimes follow the early application of the solid nitrate of silver to the commenc- ing ulcer of the cornea. But for my present purpose, a case such as I have related, seems more useful. The advocates of excessive bleeding and depletion may point to the case as illustrating the failure of an opposite treatment, and suggest that a strictly depletory plan * On the 2Gth, the right knee was attacked with rheumatism, and the day following' the left one also. This disease of joints has been frequently noticed as a sequela of gonorrhoea.
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