treating the Fiftula Lachrymalis. 243 
cemented in a glafs tube about fix inches long. At the 
top of the tube is a wooden funnel; and at the bottom 
of this is a valve, which may be elevated by a filken firing 
that is conveyed through a hole in the brim of the fun- 
nel, and hangs down by the fide of the tube (a) . 
The fteel pipe was paired into the inferior punftum, 
without pain or difficulty. The quickfilver was then 
poured into the funnel, and let down the tube by pulling 
the firing of the valve. When the quickfilver regurgi- 
tated out by the fuperior punftum, the inftrument was 
withdrawn. The quickfilver lay in the fac and duft, 
without exciting pain, about thirty hours, when it pafied 
into the nofe, and the patient caught fome of it in his 
hand. 
I thought it bell at this time not to comprefs the fac; 
apprehending it would difcharge the quickfilver through 
the punfta, and fo fruftrate the intention. 
On the third day the operation was repeated ; when, on 
gently compreffing the fac, fome of the quickfilver palfed 
into the nofe, and with it a piece of congealed whitiffi 
mucus. A fmall quantity of the quickfilver, upon 
making the prelfure, returned through the punfta. 
(a) I have defcribed the inftrument as it was ufed ; but I have ftnce thought, 
that it would not only be more ample but do as well without a valvular appara- 
tus, the quickfilver being poured in by an aftiftant. (See the figure). 
I i 2 
At 
