EYE, DISEASES OP. '287 



ancient Egypt. Formerly they were made of gold, copper, glass, porcelain, and other 

 substances, but now enamel is always used. The artificial eye is not a globe, but 

 is a mere shell, painted on the front to represent what henceforth will be its fellow. 

 The adaptation and correspondence involve much more than merely matching the 

 colour. Some artificial eyes are so well made and so carefully adapted that they 

 escape detection not only by casual observers, but also by doctors conversant with 

 the strides made of late years in this department. It is essential that the eye should 

 not be too thick, on account of its weight, and it must not be too thin, or it will be 

 brittle. There are many advantages in wearing a false eye after the true one is lost. 

 Let alone the question of appearance, it keeps the eyelids in their proper position, 

 it prevents the lashes from turning inwards and producing irritation, and it prevents 

 foreign bodies from entering the eye. Many a servant wears an artificial eye with- 

 out his employer being aware of it. It is sometimes necessary that the stump of the 

 eye the remains, that is, of the true eye should be adjusted to fit the artificial eye 

 and ensure the proper movements, but this is readily done by the surgeon. An 

 artificial eye should never be worn except at the advice of a medical man. 

 Its use should not be commenced too soon after the loss of the true eye, for the 

 stump continues to shrink for some time, and yet the wearing of the eye must not 

 be delayed too long, or the eyelids may contract. 



The mode of introducing the artificial eye is very simple. Hold it between the 

 forefinger and thumb, and wet it by dipping it in water. Then push the broad outer 

 end under the upper eyelid, and slide it upwards towards its destined position as far 

 as it will readily go ; retain it there with the forefinger of the one hand, and with the 

 finger of the other hand draw down the lower eyelid till the lower edge slips in. To 

 remove it, depress the lower eyelid with the finger, pass the finger-nail, a tooth-pick, 

 or any little blunt instrument under the edge of the eye, lift it forward, and let it 

 slip out. Catch it in the hand, or on a handkerchief, or let it fall on the bed. Do 

 not drop it, or you may injure it. After a little experience it is no more difficult 

 than pulling off your boots. It should be removed every night at bed-time, and not 

 replaced till the following morning. Should this precaution be neglected, the part 

 beneath may get sore and irritable. After removal it should be dipped in tepid 

 water, wiped with clean lint or an old soft pocket-handkerchief, and put in a box on 

 cotton. Many people leave it in a tumbler of cold water all night, but this is a bad 

 plan, as it is very apt to become cracked on the surface, and the impurities of the 

 water tend to roughen the enamel. Should grease collect on the surface, it may be 

 removed by wiping it with a piece of lint dipped in spirit. After about a year 

 the eye loses its polish, and the enamel becomes rough, and then it is necessary to 

 procure a new one. 



Short-sightedness. People who are short-sighted or "myopic," as it is technically 

 called can usually see clearly near objects, but are unable to make out those at a 

 distance. Myopia that is, short-sightedness is nearly always hereditary. Having 

 once occurred, it is almost sure to be transmitted to the children, and the offspring 

 of very short-sighted parents hardly ever escape the defect. As a rule, it does not 

 manifest itself until the age of eight or nine, and it is unusual for it to appear after 

 the age of fifteen. Still, it may be acquired, and is sometimes produce4 artificially, 



