Inflammation, of the Eyelids. Blepharitis. 341 



nlOIll5^ intense itching. Where eczema exists there may be 

 found minute shot like papules at times surmounted by small 

 vesicles and the skin disease is continuous backward upon the 

 face. When abscess forms, the rounded swelling and manifest 

 fluctuation will betray its presence. Usually the eye waters and 

 the side of the cheek is wet and the hairs matted by a whitish 

 coagulated lymph and mucus. 



Treatment . In the early stages without scabs, .sloughs, or ab- 

 scess, antiseptic astringent lotions are in place. Weak solutions 

 of zinc sulphate, boric acid and morphine maj' be kept applied 

 on a light bandage. Or silver nitrate i gram to i oz. water may 

 be applied daily with a fine brush. 



When scabs and crusts have formed they maj- be softened by 

 the application of almond oil, and then removed. The surface 

 may then l)e dusted with a bland antiseptic powder such as : 

 zinc oxide 10 parts, salicylic acid i part ; or boric acid and starch 

 equal parts ; or iodoform ; or xeroform. Or unctuous applica- 

 tions may be used ; zinc oxide 10, salicylic acid i, vaseline 10 ; 

 or iodoform i, vaseline 5. Or a watery application may be used, 

 such as the silver lotion or that of pyoktatuiin i : 1000. 



For eczema yellow oxide of mercury i, to vasline 10, has an 

 excellent reputation. It may be alternated with pyoktannin. 



When abscess has formed it should be excised in a line parallel 

 to the free border and the resulting cavity injected with the silver 

 or the pyoktannin solution. 



In all cases the patient nuist be fastened as for wounds of the 

 lids so that he cannot rub the eye. 



For eczema and other skin diseases the special treatment appro- 

 priate to the di.sea.se should not be omitted. 



CEDEMA OF EYELIDS. 



In anthrax, malignant oedema, disease of heart, kidney or liver, distoma- 

 tosis, trichiniasis, wasp stings, urticaria, petechial fever. Treatment : cor- 

 rect general disorder, remove local irritant, antiseptic astringents. 



An cedematous condition of the eyelids with or without in- 

 flammatory conditions may be due to local disease or it may be 

 the result of more general di.sorder. In anthrax districts any of 



