DISEASES OF THE EYE. 99^ 



All these must be dealt with as other inflammations ate. In order 

 to combat general inflammation of the eye, bleeding, physicking, and 

 fomentations, are the principal weapons employed. The blood ^should 

 be taken from the jugular, for that is supplied by veins coming from 

 the inflamed parts. If the bleeding is ever local, the lid should be 

 turned down, and the lining membrane lightly scarified. A few drops 

 of blood thus obtained will often do a great deal of good. The 

 fomentation having been continued for a day or two, one of the two 

 following lotions should be used, a few drops of it being introduced 

 into the eye two or three times every day : — 



RECIPE (No. 43.) 

 Sfdative Eye Lotion. (1),— Take, dried leaves of foxglove, powdered, one and a half 

 ounce : infuse them in a pint of Cape or dry raisin wine, for a fortnight, and keep 

 the infusion for use. 



There cannot be a better sedative in the early stage of inflamma- 

 tion of the eyes. 



In many cases this alone will effect the temporary or perfect 

 removal of the inflammation; but should not the eye improve, or 

 should it appear to become insensible to the influence of the tincture, 

 try the next prescription : — 



RECIPE (No. 44). 

 Sedative Eye Lotion (2).— Take, extract of goulard, two drachms; spirituous tinc- 

 ture of digitalis (made in the same manner as tlie vinous in the last recipe), two 

 drachms; tincture of opium, two draclims ; water, a pint : this should also be intro- 

 duced into the eye. Two or three dro|)s at a time will suffice. 



The inflammation being subdued by the one or the other of these 

 applications, or even bidding defiance to them, and assuming a chro- 

 nic form, a lotion of a different character must be had recourse to. 



RECIPE (No. 45). 

 Strengthening Lotion for the Eye.— Take, white vitriol, one scruple ; spirit of wine, 

 a drachm ; water, a pint ; mix them together, and use the lotion in the same manner 

 as the othcr.s. ,^^ 



VV^hen the inflammation runs high, the transparent part of the eye 

 is apt to ulcerate, and a fungous substance sprouts, and sometimes 

 protrudes through the lids. This should be very lightly touched with 

 a solution of nitrate of silver, or, if it is very prominent, it should be 

 cut off, and the base of it touched with the caustic. 



A seton in the dewlap will always be beneficial in inflammation 

 of the eye, and it should either be made of the black hellebore root, 

 or a cord well soaked in turpentine. 



Of one circumstance the breeder of cattle should be aware — that 

 blindness is an hereditary disease, and that the progeny of a bull that 

 has any defect of sight is very apt to become blind. 



If the case is neglected, inflammation of the eye will sometimes 

 run on to cmiccr, and not only the eye, but the soft parts around it, 

 and even the bones, will be affected. 



When this termination threatens, the globe of the eye will usually 

 turn to a boltle-green colour, then ulceration will appear about the 



