CHAPTER XXI 



MEDICINES USED IN OPHTHALMIC THERAPEUTICS 



There is a great variety of medicines used in the 

 treatment of diseases of the eye, but it is better to become 

 familiar with the action of a few remedies and to know 

 when to use them. 



Antiseptic Washes: 



Normal salt solution is a j of i per cent, solution of common salt. This 

 makes an excellent cleansing agent in mild cases, and is safe to use. 



Boric acid in saturated solution. A feebly antiseptic and safe wash 

 to use. 



Corrosive sublimate in from i : 5000 to i : 2000 solutions. This is 

 more antiseptic, but also more apt to be followed by reaction when 

 strong solutions are used. 



Nitrate of silver in 2 per cent, solution. It is better to apply this 

 with a swab of cotton or a camel's hair brush. It is converted 

 into chlorid of silver when it comes in contact with the tears, and 

 should be immediately washed off with sterile water. 



Argyrol, one of the albumose of silver salts, used in solutions of from 

 10 to 50 per cent. The strong solutions should be used only in 

 extreme cases of purulent inflammation. Each manufacturer has 

 a name for his special preparation — ^protargol, argentamin, argonin, 

 etc. — which contain different amounts of silver. 



Astringents: 



Sulphate of zinc in | to | of i per cent, solution. 



Sulphate of copper. 



Alum. The two last are usually used in the crystal form, rubbed on 



the everted conjunctiva, and immediately washed off. 

 Tannate of glycerin, U. S. P. 

 200 



