The present, we are informed, is the 
Jast volume of Medicina Nautica which 
will appears Any communications on 
THE author of this essay had an 
opportunity, by being attached to the 
English army in Egypt, of seeing very 
numerous instances of the Egyptian 
ophithalmia, a disease which is peculiarly 
serious and obstinate. ‘To this field of 
extensive observation, which enabled him 
to become acquainted with every form 
of the complaint, was added a severe at- 
tack of it in his own person, which gave 
him occasion to try the.effects of opium, 
in order to relieve the excruciating pain 
with which it was attended. 
«« The first dose) produced a very sensible 
cessation from pain, without inducing the 
least disposition to somnolency, but rather a 
degree of exhilaration, heightened of course 
by this pleasing change in my health.. As 
‘those effects disappeared the pain returned, 
so that a repetition of the dose was found ne- 
the next day, applying at the same time the 
vegetable poultice, and removing. the dis- 
charge occasionally by syringing. 
,. ** Having persevered in this mode of cure 
for two days, on the third I was enabled to 
perform my duty.” 
A medical friend was soon after in- 
_ duced to employ the same remedy, which 
he did with so much success, that from 
that time it formed a part of the plan of 
_ ure in the military hospitals appropri- 
' ated to ophthalmic patients; and it is 
_ affirmed as a fact, that, in the space of 
_.a month from its general use, every-one 
5 of them was restored to the army, in a 
aaa either of convalescence,'or of per- 
i ‘fect health, The author considers the 
- 
disease as oné of debility, and in this 
_ Manner, accounts for the great advantage 
» which opium produced in its cure; but 
' whatever. might be thought of the ra- 
' .tionale of the practice, its suecess was 
_ perfectly sufficient to recommend it. In 
_ the early stage of the disease a collysium 
_ of rose water, distilled vinegar, ‘and a 
~ ‘small quantity of opium or ceryssa ace- 
» tata, with a few doses of bark, were 
_ found to be sufficient to remove it- But 
_ when the high inflammatory stage had 
~ come on, which was generally the case 
_ before an application was made for re- 
_ lief, it became necessary to employ more 
_ ‘vigorous measures. Besides the frequent 
POWER ON THE CAUSE OF THE EGYPTIAN OPHTHALMIA. 
cessary during the night, and twice or thrice 
731 
the subjects of the work, which may af- 
terwards be received by the author, will 
be inserted in another edition, 
Arr. XIV. Atiempt to investigate the Cause of the Egyptian Ophthalmia, with Obseroa- 
tions on its Nature and diferent Modes of Cure. 
geon to the 23d Regiment of Foot, or Royal Welsh Fusileers. pp. 72. 
By Georce Power, Assistant Sur- 
injection of a stream of clear water into 
the eye by a syringe, a gentle laxative 
was generally administered 5 
*« after the operation of which, if not 
contra-indicated by a general phlogistie dia- 
thesis or plethora, a quarter of a grain or more 
opicm was ordered every four or six hours, 
according to circumstances, on the first and 
second day; bat diminishing the frequency 
a: well as the quantity of the dose on the 
succeeding days, until the cure was accom- 
plished, which a course of bark effectually 
confirmed,” 
When the inflammation appeared like- 
ly to advance, or had arrived at an alarfae - 
ing height, it was necessary to use ge- 
neral and local bleeding, blisters, and 
cold applications to the eye. We feel it 
difficult, however, to reconcile some parts 
of this practice, particularly the use of 
blood-letting, to the author’s idea that 
the disease arises from a debility, which 
it is necessary to counteract. The edema, 
or spasm of the eyelids, which sometimes 
remained after the inflammation had, 
abated, were relieved by warm fomentas 
tions, or a blister, applied over the eye- 
lids. If, on getting the eyelids opened, . 
the cornea was found to be red, a so- 
lution of cerussa acetata was employed 
as a collyrium, or a blister applied be- 
hind the ear. When there were spots 
or specks upon the cornea, which were 
not particles of indurated matter, sepa~ 
rable by aqueous injection, an active 
diy collyrium frequently removed them, 
though it is admitted that this was often 
unsuccessful. . By first mentioning’ the 
plan of treatment recommended by the 
author, for the cure of the Egyptian oph- 
thalmia, as we have inverted the order. 
adopted in his work, it remains that we 
should state the result of his. observa- 
tions with regard to various circum- 
stances connected with this disease. He 
is dissatisfied with all the causes which 
have been assigned for its production, 
and considers the absence of it amon 
the Bedouin Arabs who inhabit the de. 
serts, and its being scareely observed in 
General Baird’s army, which had a ve; 
long and perilous march through the 
deserts, to be proofs that the effects: of- 
