66 
The Philippine Journal of Science 
1920 
ETIOLOGY 
I have divided my cases according to the causal factor, as 
follows : 
Infection from corneal ulcers (perforating or otherwise), where the 
traumatism was due to leaves of plants, 15 cases. 
Infection originating from traumatisms, such as wounds (perforating 
or contused) caused by dust, foreign bodies, etc., 10 cases. 
Infection from inflammation of old lesions, as in leucomas, staphy- 
lomas, exposure of the eye in facial paralysis, exophthalmic goiter, 
etc., 10 cases. 
Infection from internal causes, that is, endogenous in character, or 
from some unknown origin, 35 cases. 
In the first group occurred several cases of traumatic ulcers 
of the cornea produced by rubbing of leaves of rice, grass, 
hemp, the sharp edge of buri, or pineapple leaf, and corneal 
ulcers from dacrocystitis, trachoma, gonorrheal ophthalmia, etc. 
The second group includes perforating wounds of the cornea 
due to sharp-pointed bodies such as nails, bamboo sticks, finger 
nails of a child, cinders, dust, or other foreign bodies rubbed 
into the cornea and producing ulcus serpens. One case of 
panophthalmitis (the municipal treasurer of Marilao) showed 
hypopyon within the first forty-eight hours. Among other cases 
included in this group were those produced by the removal of 
foreign bodies from the cornea by inexperienced persons; one 
case from a blow from the horn of a carabao; one due to a 
blow received during a fight; another case was hit by a stone, 
and some others were caused by gunpowder explosions near the 
face, or by small shot hitting the eyes. Some of the cases in 
both first and second groups showed an accompanying chronic 
dacrocystitis. 
In the third group are cases that occurred as the result of 
inflammation of old lesions, as in leucomas, staphylomas following 
smallpox, etc. There are also included here cases resulting from 
the exposure of the cornea to dryness consequent upon facial 
paralysis or exophthalmic goiter, in which the lids could not 
be closed. 
In the fourth group, the panophthalmitis was secondary to 
a local infection outside of the eye, as in pyaemias. In two 
children, staphylococcia following pustules of the scalp occurred 
and gave rise to metastatic panophthalmitis. A case of met- 
astatic choroiditis following abscesses of the arm and chest 
occurred in an old woman, 55 years of age. 
