Catarrhal Ophthalmia (Mild or Catarrhal Inflam-
mation OF THE Eye). — Symptoms. — There is a redness or
bloodshot appearance of the eye, an itching and smarting pain
in it such as might be caused by a grain of sand or dust.
There is a certain feeling of stiffness in moving the bail of the
eye, and some difficulty is experienced in looking at the light.
There is also a profuse discharge of tears from the eye, which
causes the lids to be glued together in the morning, when the
patient wakes. If the cisease becomes more acute, there is a
discharge of thicker matter. Sometimes this form of ophthal-
mia terminates in the formation of vesicles on the eye.
Treatment. — The following lotion will be found useful:
Sulphate of zinc, 3 grains, dissolved in distilled water, one and
a half ounces. A drop or two of this lotion should be carefully
dropped into the corner of the eye, the lids being then parted,
the lotion will run into the eye. If a small notch be cut along
each side of the phial cork, the lotion can be allowed to pour
out only a drop or two at a time. A dose of compound ipeca-
cuanha powder (Dover's powder) at bedtime, and a few doses
of saline aperient will generally set this form of inflammation to
rights. If, however, the discharge should become thick, and
the pain more severe, blistering should be applied to the
temple
Purulent Ophthalmia of Children. — Symptoms. — This
generally commences on the second or third day after birth,
and extends over the entire surface of the eye. There is swell-
ing of the lids, which are glued together by a copious discharge
of pus or matter,which, when the lids are separated, pours out
from between them. On opening them, the inside of the lid is
found to be of a bright scarlet color. The discharge from the
eyes is generally yellow, but it becomes sometimes green, or
tinged with blood. Should the inflammation not be properly
and early attended to, it causes ulceration of the cornea or
transparent circle in the centre of the front of the eye, and, if
this occur, blindness follows.
Purulent Ophthalmia of Adults. — Egyptian Oph-
thalmia.— Symptoms. — This disease is very similar to the
above, with these exceptions, that it generally attacks both eyes
at once, and there is but little intolerance of light. In this
disease also the inflammation sometimes spreads into the ball
of the eye, causing thereby intense intermittent pain
Treatment. — Purulent ophthalmia requires very much the
same treatment^ both for adults and for infants. It must be
MEDICINAL. 323
stated, however, that this form of the disease in infants is catch-
ing. Great care should therefore be taken to wipe the dis-
charge with pieces of rag which can be burnt directly. Atter
applying the various remedies recommended, the hands should
always be carefully washed.
Page 231
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Catarrhal Ophthalmia (Mild or Catarrhal Inflammation OF THE Eye). — Symptoms. — There is a redness or bloodshot appearance of the eye, an itching and smarting pain in it such as might be caused by a grain of sand or dust. There is a certain feeling of stiffness in moving the ball of the eye, and some difficulty is experienced in looking at the light. There is also a profuse discharge of tears from the eye, which causes the lids to be glued together in the morning, when the patient wakes. If the disease becomes more acute, there is a discharge of thicker matter. Sometimes this form of ophthalmia terminates in the formation of vesicles on the eye.
Treatment. — The following lotion will be found useful: Sulphate of zinc, 3 grains, dissolved in distilled water, one and a half ounces. A drop or two of this lotion should be carefully dropped into the corner of the eye, the lids being then parted, the lotion will run into the eye. If a small notch be cut along each side of the phial cork, the lotion can be allowed to pour out only a drop or two at a time. A dose of compound ipecacuanha powder (Dover's powder) at bedtime, and a few doses of saline aperient will generally set this form of inflammation to rights. If, however, the discharge should become thick, and the pain more severe, blistering should be applied to the temples
Purulent Ophthalmia of Children. — Symptoms. — This generally commences on the second or third day after birth, and extends over the entire surface of the eye. There is swelling of the lids, which are glued together by a copious discharge of pus or matter,which, when the lids are separated, pours out from between them. On opening them, the inside of the lid is found to be of a bright scarlet color. The discharge from the eyes is generally yellow, but it becomes sometimes green, or tinged with blood. Should the inflammation not be properly and early attended to, it causes ulceration of the cornea or transparent circle in the centre of the front of the eye, and, if this occur, blindness follows.
Purulent Ophthalmia of Adults. — Egyptian Ophthalmia.— Symptoms. — This disease is very similar to the above, with these exceptions, that it generally attacks both eyes at once, and there is but little intolerance of light. In this disease also the inflammation sometimes spreads into the ball of the eye, causing thereby intense intermittent pain
Treatment. — Purulent ophthalmia requires very much the same treatment, both for adults and for infants. It must be
stated, however, that this form of the disease in infants is catching. Great care should therefore be taken to wipe the discharge with pieces of rag which can be burnt directly. Atter applying the various remedies recommended, the hands should always be carefully washed.