Am.  Jour.  Pharm. 
July,  1917. 
Topical  Applications. 
come  and  remain  in  contact  with  the  eye  for  a  considerable  space 
of  time.  The  cup  is  partially  filled  and  in  this  condition  is  pressed 
against  the  eye,  the  head  is  thrown  back  and  the  lids  of  the  eye  are 
opened  and  closed  several  times. 
Eye  baths  are  made  in  various  designs  and  combinations.  The 
one  most  commonly  used  is  the  glass  one  with  a  shaft  and  base. 
The  aluminum  bath  is  an  excellent  one  because  it  can  be  easily 
sterilized  without  danger  of  breaking. 
Eye  irrigator:  This  apparatus  is  by  far  the  most  sanitary  of 
any  appliance  used  for  washing  the  eye  with  a  fluid. 
It  consists  of  a  bottle  of  about  one  and  one  half  ounce  capacity 
and  a  curved  metal  tube,  which  extends  from  near  the  bottom  of 
the  bottle  to  about  three  inches  curved  out  from  the  top,  which 
carries  a  very  fine  stream  and  is  forced  out  under  air  pressure.  In 
this  way  the  solution  remains  in  a  perfectly  sterile  condition  until 
used. 
The  force  of  the  flow  is  somewhat  lessened  by  having  the  end  of 
the  tube  slightly  enlarged. 
The  flow  is  very  easily  checked  by  turning  the  bottle  half  on  its 
side  so  that  the  tube  carrying  the  liquid  is  not  immersed  at  the  end. 
This  little  appliance  is  so  complete  that  it  can  be  operated  per- 
fectly with  one  hand. 
Eye  patches  are  used  where  it  is  the  intention  to  protect  the  eye 
completely  from  light.  These  come  in  various  colors,  combinations 
and  styles.  The  best  patch  is  the  soft-linen  patch  as  it  is  more  com- 
fortable and  acts  as  a  better  protector. 
These  come  for  right  and  left  eye  and  in  combination.  They 
are  also  used  to  support  compresses. 
Ophthalmic  Disc  Containers. 
These  generally  come  in  two  styles,  the  vial  and  the  celluloid 
case.  The  celluloid  case  is  the  more  practical ;  it  being  pure  white 
enables  one  to  see  the  disc  more  readily. 
The  disc  can  easily  be  removed  for  application  by  moistening  the 
tip  of  a  camel's  hair  brush  to  which  it  will  readily  adhere  and  may 
then  be  carried  directly  to  the  conjunctival  sac. 
When  a  physician  prescribes  smoked  glasses  to  be  worn  during 
mydriasis  it  is  his  intention  that  the  patient  be  supplied  a  glass  that 
will  protect  the  eye  from  as  much  light  as  possible. 
