Ocular therapeutics / by L. de Wecker ; tr. and ed. by Litton Forbes.

  • Louis de Wecker
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ocular therapeutics / by L. de Wecker ; tr. and ed. by Litton Forbes. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    which, as the number of punctures is so great, will act on the whole eyelid. The sovereign remedy for all forms of ulcerative blepharitis (acne mentagra) is cauterisation, either by means of compressors, imbued with one part of nitrate of silver, of sulphate of zinc or copper respectively,, to 300 of water. . If the minute ulcers are confined to the hair follicles., direct cauterization with a pencil of mitigated nitrate of silver, followed by neutralisation with common salt, may be practised. Eemoval of the diseased cilia should precede the application of the- caustic, which ought not to be repeated until the eschars of the previous cauterisations have become detached. In the intervals of cauterisation, a solution of nitrate of silver (1 in 20) may be applied with a camel-hair brush. It should be immediately neutralized to prevent its reaching the conjunctival cul-de-sac. I need scarcely say that every attention must be given both to lachrymal and conjunctival secretions ; and that the functions of the skin should be regulated by frequent sponging, either with salt and water, or sea water. The general health wi]l require looking after. Arsenical and ferruginous preparations should be prescribed in the case of weak or lymphatic subjects, and the functions of the eyes duly attended to, all ametropia, etc. being corrected. Prolonged tension of the ac- commodation must be avoided, especially b}^ artificial light, as also whatever can cause congestion of the face, such as hearty meals, and alcoholic drinks. This account of inflammatory affections of the skin of the lids may be closed with a few words on the syphilitic affections, of which they may be the seat. Primary and secondary ulcerations, pustular and papular eruptions, and finally gummata, are all found in this situation. There is nothing surprising in the fact of primary sores appearing in this region, when it is remembered how common the custom of kissing the eyes is. The existence of gummy tumours is more frequent than is generally supposed. We know that in cases where a gummy eruption attacks the face, it has its point of predilection in the eyelids. Further, the pal- pebral border is readily invaded by a series of small gummata, which ulcerate, and constitute an obstinate blepharitis known as the gummy. This affection calls for specific treatment, which will consist in the use of compresses imbued with a solution of corrosive sublimate (1 in 500), and the application at night of strips of Vigo plaster laid on one over the other.