DISEASES OF THE EYE. 177 



If ch.i latter are sepaiated, tne ctjhjunctival membrane will be 

 found highly injected, and the eye painfully susceptible to 

 touch or exposure. 



Unless the inflammation be checked it rapidly extends, 

 other and deeper-seated structures become involved, and 

 the vision dangerously impaired. The cornea is traversed 

 with engorged vessels, the pupillary opening blocked by an 

 opaque mass of exudation (lymph) ; and quickly upon this 

 we get ulceration of the cornea, followed by fungoid granula- 

 tions. 



Treatment. — The lids should be carefully separated, and 

 examination made for the presence of any foreign matter, 

 which, should it exist, is to be gently removed. So long as 

 inflammatory action is present, the avoidance of light, warm 

 fomentations, and, at the onset, a mild dose of aperient medi- 

 cine is generally all that is requisite. 



In cases where the disease will not yield to these simple 

 measures, where the inflammation increases and there is con- 

 siderable distention of the corneal vessels, local bleeding is 

 attended with much benefit ; this may be produced by prick- 

 ing the skin immediately under the lower lid and applying a 

 leech or two, or puncturing the lachrymal vein with a lance, 

 and placing the finger on the vessel beneath the opening. 1 

 shall probably be accused of being antiquated in advocating 

 the latter measure (blood-letting), but experience in inflam- 

 matory eye diseases in the lower animals has taught me that, 

 however old the doctrine, it still holds good in local in- 

 flammations, particularly in vascular parts, and in none more 

 so than the eye. With regard to other measures — the 

 avoidance of light and warm fomentations should still be 

 maintained. Bathing the eye with an infusion of poppy- 

 heads is sedative to the inflamed part, and therefore useful. 

 A low and unstimulating diet is absolutely necessary. 



Chronic or constitutional ophthalmia is denoted by the 

 eyes being always watery, but more so on exposure to light or 

 cold ; there is opacity of vision, and conjunctival congestion. 



