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CHAPTER V. 

 DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



SIMPLE INFLAMMATION. 



Simple inflammation of the eves is caused by ex- 

 ternal causes in nine cases out of ten, such as a blow, 

 chaff falling within the eye-lids, &c., and must be 

 treated according to the cause of inflammation. If any 

 foreign substance be the cause, it must be removed 

 immediately ; and I have found a leaden pencil the 

 best instrument for such a purpose. If the inflamma- 

 tion be very severe, the facial vein should be copiously 

 bled, and all corn removed until some symptoms of 

 abatement are evident. 



It is very rare to meet with a case where the injury 

 is more deeply seated than the cornea in simple inflam- 

 mation. Great care, however, should be taken to 

 remove the cause before ulceration of the cornea has 

 taken place. It is difficult for one unacquainted with 

 diseases of the eye, to distinguish between this disease 

 and ophthalmia by whatever distinctions may be drawn. 

 The chief difference is, that in the former disease the 

 cornea alone is affected, while in the latter the inflam- 

 mation extends to the internal parts. 



