The following lotion should be dropped into the eye as
above directed: Nitrate of silver, 3 grains, dissolved in dis-
tilled rain water, one and a half ounce. (The solution of ni-
trate of silver will stain like marking ink anything it falls upon.)
Blisters should be applied behind the ear on the affected side,
or on the temples. For aduks the following mixture should be
taken: Epsom salts, 4 drachms; powdered nitrate of potash,
tartar emetic, i grain; nitre, 30 grains; infusion of senna, 2
ounces; water to 6 ounces; a sixth part every four hours. The
first dose or two may produce sickness; this will subside with
subsequent doses, and is calculated to check the inflammation.
To infants, a teaspoonful of fluid magnesia shouH be given
every day, or more frequently if the bow^els be confined. Should
the pain be very severe, ten grains of Dover's powder may be
given, but only to adults, as it contains opium.
Rheumatic Ophthalmia. — Symptoms. — A form of inflam-
mation which attacks the thick white (^oat of the eye. The
eye becomes of a dusky red, but not so much blood-shot as in
the other forms. The fully distended blood-vessels can be
distinguished radiating in straight lines from the edge of the
cornea or transparent circular membrane in the front of the
eye, which also becomes duller. There is excessive flow of
tears, and great intoleranc ; of light. In this form of inflam-
mation the pain is more intense, and is not confined to the
ball of the eye, but is felt in the surrounding bones of the
forehead and cheek.
Treatment. — If the inflammation be very acute, it will be
advisable to apply three or four leeches on the temples, and
then to blister either in that situation, or behind the ear. The
following aperient should be given at once, and repeated until
it acts: Sulphate of Magnesia (Epsom salts), 2 drachms;
powdered nitrate of potash (nitre), 10 grains; infusion of senna,
one-half ounce; peppermint water, one-half ounce.
The following mixture should be taken three times a day,
after the above draught has acted upon the bowels: Iodide of
potassium, 40 grains; bicarbonate of potash, 80 grains; col-
chicum wine, 2 drachms; water to make 8 ounces. Two
tablespoonfuls for a dose three times a day.
The following ointment should be applied round the eye,
avoiding the raw or tender surface of a blister or leech-bites:
Extract of belladonna, 80 grains; prepared lard^ i ounce. Rub
together.
324 MEDICINAL.
Inflammation of the Cornea, or Transparent Circu-
lar Membrane in Front of the Eye. — Symptoms. — This
membrane first appears slightly hazy. This haziness increases,
and the membrane becomes slightly opaque. Minute white
specks may be observed on the membrane; these, after a time,
prove to be ulcers. Sometimes a yellow spot appears. This
is a small quantity of matter which is contained between the
layers of the membrane. If this is discharged inside the
cornea, it falls to the lower edge, and may be seen there like a
yellow crescent. It may, however, ulcerate through in front,
and be thus discharged. Ulcers of the cornea, when healed,
always leaves an opaque white spot. Sometimes they perfor-
ate the membrane, and thus allow of the escape of the fluid
which is contained at the back of it. The eye all round the
cornea is bloodshot; there is a bright scarlet ring close round
the edge of the cornea.
Page 232
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
The following lotion should be dropped into the eye as above directed: Nitrate of silver, 3 grains, dissolved in distilled rain water, one and a half ounce. (The solution of nitrate of silver will stain like marking ink anything it falls upon.) Blisters should be applied behind the ear on the affected side, or on the temples. For aduks the following mixture should be taken: Epsom salts, 4 drachms; powdered nitrate of potash, tartar emetic, i grain; nitre, 30 grains; infusion of senna, 2 ounces; water to 6 ounces; a sixth part every four hours. The first dose or two may produce sickness; this will subside with subsequent doses, and is calculated to check the inflammation. To infants, a teaspoonful of fluid magnesia should be given every day, or more frequently if the bowels be confined. Should the pain be very severe, ten grains of Dover's powder may be given, but only to adults, as it contains opium.
Rheumatic Ophthalmia. — Symptoms. — A form of inflammation which attacks the thick white coat of the eye. The eye becomes of a dusky red, but not so much blood-shot as in the other forms. The fully distended blood-vessels can be distinguished radiating in straight lines from the edge of the cornea or transparent circular membrane in the front of the eye, which also becomes duller. There is excessive flow of tears, and great intolerance of light. In this form of inflammation the pain is more intense, and is not confined to the ball of the eye, but is felt in the surrounding bones of the forehead and cheek.
Treatment. — If the inflammation be very acute, it will be advisable to apply three or four leeches on the temples, and then to blister either in that situation, or behind the ear. The following aperient should be given at once, and repeated until it acts: Sulphate of Magnesia (Epsom salts), 2 drachms; powdered nitrate of potash (nitre), 10 grains; infusion of senna, one-half ounce; peppermint water, one-half ounce.
The following mixture should be taken three times a day, after the above draught has acted upon the bowels: Iodide of potassium, 40 grains; bicarbonate of potash, 80 grains; colchicum wine, 2 drachms; water to make 8 ounces. Two tablespoonfuls for a dose three times a day.
The following ointment should be applied round the eye, avoiding the raw or tender surface of a blister or leech-bites: Extract of belladonna, 80 grains; prepared lard, i ounce. Rub together.
Inflammation of the Cornea, or Transparent Circular Membrane in Front of the Eye. — Symptoms. — This membrane first appears slightly hazy. This haziness increases, and the membrane becomes slightly opaque. Minute white specks may be observed on the membrane; these, after a time, prove to be ulcers. Sometimes a yellow spot appears. This is a small quantity of matter which is contained between the layers of the membrane. If this is discharged inside the cornea, it falls to the lower edge, and may be seen there like a yellow crescent. It may, however, ulcerate through in front, and be thus discharged. Ulcers of the cornea, when healed, always leaves an opaque white spot. Sometimes they perforate the membrane, and thus allow of the escape of the fluid which is contained at the back of it. The eye all round the cornea is bloodshot; there is a bright scarlet ring close round the edge of the cornea.