28 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



as in some measure of this kind. It is commonly sufficient to 

 apply a number of leeches round the eye ; and it is perhaps 

 better still to draw blood from the temples, by cupping and 

 scarifying. In many cases, a very effectual remedy is that of 

 scarifying the internal surface of the inferior eye-lid ; and more 

 so still, is cutting the turgid vessels upon the adnata itself. 



CCLXXXIII. Besides blood-letting, purging, as a remedy 

 suited to inflammation in general, has been considered as pecu- 

 liarly adapted to inflammations in any of the parts of the head, 

 and therefore to Ophthalmia ; and it is sometimes useful : but, 

 for the reasons given before with respect to general bleeding, 

 purging in the case of Ophthalmia does not prove useful in any 

 degree in proportion to the evacuation excited. 



" Some have had a particular opinion of the use of mercurial 

 purgatives upon this occasion. I do not imagine that when 

 mercurials are employed along with purgatives, and so carried 

 off by stool, they can have any effect upon the system ; and 

 therefore if calomel, joined to the other purgatives, has been 

 thought of particular use here, it is only as it does sharpen and 

 unite with the other purgatives."" 



CCLXXXIV. For relaxing the spasm in the part, and tak- 

 ing off the determination of the fluids to it, blistering near the 

 part has commonly been found useful. 



CCLXXXV. Electrical sparks taken from the eye will often 

 suddenly discuss the inflammation of the adnata ; but the effect 

 is seldom permanent, and even a frequent repetition seldom gives 

 an entire cure. 



CCLXXXVI. Ophthalmia, as an external inflammation, 

 admits of topical applications. All those, however, that increase 

 the heat, and relax the vessels of the part, prove commonly 

 hurtful ; and the admission of cool air to the eye, the proper 

 application of cold water immediately to the ball of the eye, 

 and the application of various cooling and astringent medicines, 

 which at the same time do not produce much irritation, prove 

 generally useful ; even spiritous liquors, employed in moderate 

 quantity, have often been of service. 



" Alum is useful in curing the Ophthalmia membranarum, 

 and seems to be more powerful for this purpose than either white 



