CLASS H. 1. 4. 1. OF SENSATION. 



symptom of scrofula, when it recurs frequently in young per- 

 sons; but is probably only a concomitant of that disease, as a 

 symptom of general debility; ramifications of new red vessels, 

 and of enlarged old ones, are spread over the white part of the 

 eye; and it is attended with less heat, less pain, and less intole- 

 rance of light than the ophthalmia interna, described in Class II. 

 1. 2. 2. It occurs in those of feeble circulation, especially chil- 

 dren of a scrofulous tendency, and seems to arise from a pre- 

 vious torpor of the vessels of the tunica albuginea from their being 

 exposed to cold air; and from this torpor being more liable to 

 occur in habits, which are naturally inirritable; and therefore 

 more readily fall into quiescence by a smaller deduction of the 

 stimulus of heat, than would affect stronger or more irritable 

 habits; the consequence of this torpor is increased action, which 

 produces pain in the eye, and that induces inflammation by the 

 acquisition of the additional sensorial power of sensation. 



Ophthalmia lympluttica is a kind of anasarca of the tunica ad- 

 nata; in this the vessels over the sclerotica, or white part of the 

 eye, rise considerably above the cornea, which they surround, are 

 less red than in the ophthalmia superficialis, and appear to be 

 swelled by an accumulation of lymph rather than of blood; it 

 is probably owing to the temporary obstruction of a branch of the 

 lymphatic system. 



M. M. If the pain be great, venesection by leeches on the 

 temple, or cutting the temporal artery, and one purge with three 

 or four grains of calomel should be premised. Then the Peru- 

 vian bark twice a day. Opium from a quarter to half a grain 

 twice a day for some weeks. Bathe the eye frequently with 

 cold water alone, or with cold water to a pint of which is added 

 half an ounce of salt. White vitriol, six grains dissolved in one 

 ounce of water; a drop or two to be put between the eyelids 

 twice a day. Take very small electric sparks from the eyes every 

 day for a fortnight. Bathe the whole head with salt and water 

 made warm, every night for some months. Send such children 

 to a school near the sea, for the convenience of sea-bathing, for 

 many months, annually; such schools are to be found in or near 

 Liverpool. 



When a child is afflicted with an inflamed eye of this kind, 

 he should always sit with his back to the window or candle; 

 but it is generally not necessary to cover it, or if the uneasy sen- 

 sation of light makes this proper, the cover should stand off from 

 the eye, so as not much to exclude the cool air from it. As* 

 covering an eye unnecessarily is liable to make that eye weaker 

 than the other, from its not being sufficiently used, and thence 

 to produce a squinting for ever afterwards. 



