380 DISORDERS 



ofcoucliing; an experiment that is, taking 

 it '' all in all," productive of advantages so 

 very trifling, the recommendation of it here 

 can avail but little, particularly, as the ex- 

 penses, added to the hazard and uncertainty 

 qf cure, could gain but few proselytes to the 

 practice. 



In all blemishes or defects^ where a thicken- 

 ing of some one of the coats, membranes, or 

 lunnours of the eye, has formed an appear- 

 ance of rato-^c^ or////;?, it has been an estab- 

 lished and n)ost contenjptible custom to 

 bestow a plentiful application of corrosive 

 powders, unguents, and solutions, for the 

 purposes of obliteration ; without a single 

 reflection upon the absurdity of endeavour- 

 ing to destroy by corrosion, what is abso- 

 lutely separated froni the surface by a variety 

 of membranous coverings, according to the 

 distinct seat of disease; with wliich it is im- 

 possible to bring the intended remedy into 

 contact, witliont first destroying the inter- 

 vening or surrounding parts by which the 

 inner ddi(.:ate structure is so numerously 

 guarded. It may not be inapplicable to 

 strengthen this remark, by reverting to the 



