The leprous diseases of the eye / by O.B. Bull and G.A. Hansen.

  • Bull, O. B. (Ole Bornemann), 1842-1916.
Date:
1873
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The leprous diseases of the eye / by O.B. Bull and G.A. Hansen. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    When these punctated deposits have existed for a shorter or longer time, an ill-defined opaque halo begins to form around them; they become less distinct; so that the Cornea appears more evenly obscured. After a time the Cornea may again become pellucid, the spots entirely disappear, and the disease terminate without any treatment, and without leaving any trace. On the other hand we have also seen the spots remaining for years without alteration. Apart from any circumscribed or more diffuse infiltration of the submucous tissue, which precedes and accompanies the development of the superficial corneal tubers the Sclera is scarcely affected independently by leprosy. That the Sclera takes a yellowish dirty color, has from old times been regarded as one of the earliest signs of leprosy. This discoloration however has probably no other source than the chronic Hypereemia consequent on the formation of episcleral tubers. We have often found that the Sclera round about the cor- neal margin assumes a hyaline appearance; and that in the tissue there lie imbedded pellucid granules., like frog's spawn. On applying pressure with a pointed body, the indentation produced remains for a long time. It seems as if the submu- cosa were infiltrated with serum. The sensitiveness around the Cornea (not on the Cornea itself), becomes at the same time more obtuse. A dark blueish color of the Sclera, extending to the width of a few lines round the Cornea, is also not seldom to be noticed in older leprous patients (Fig. 17). tendencies, one may safely set down the Keratitis punctata as a special corneal affection. That in most cases it occurs complicated with Iritis, is no sufficient reason for abolishing it as a particular form. Diseases, as we all know; usually occur uncomplicated in books only; and if we should con- sider as special forms only those Keraticis which occur pure, their number would not be legion. I have, moreover, seen in a syphilitic case a Keratitis punctata, not indeed much developed, but still with distinct dots; and there neither was, nor did there afterwards appear, any trace of Iritis. Ole Bull.
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