INFLAMMATION OF THE EYES.

19.

of tartar, every second or third day, or a decoction of tamarindswith senna. If these be not agreeable, small doses of rhubarb andnitre, a little of the lenitive electuary, or any other mild purgative,will answer the same end. The patient at the same time mustdrink freely of water-gruel, tea, whey, or any other weak dilutingliquor. He ought likewise to take, at bed-time, a large draughtof very weak wine-whey, in order to promote perspiration. Hisfeet and legs must frequently be bathed in lukewarm water, andhis head shaved twice or thrice a-week, and afterwards washed incold water. This has often a remarkably good effect.

If the inflammation does not yield to these evacuations, blistersmust be applied to the temples, behind the ears, or upon the neck,and kept open for some time by the mild blistering-ointment, orthey may be frequently renewed, which is often preferable. 1have seldom known these, if long enough kept open, fail to re-move the most obstinate inflammation of the eyes ; but for thispurpose it is often necessary to continue the discharge for severalweeks.

To abate the inflammation, it is customary to have recourse tothe frequent application of some cooling and astringent wash.Such remedies, applied to the eye by means of an eye-cup, or bywet pledgets, prove, doubtless, highly serviceable. Any of the un-dermentioned may, therefore, be used with this view ; and wherethe pain is very acute, forty or fifty drops of the vinous tincture ofopium may be added to any of them ; or the eye may be fre-quently bathed with a decoction of bruised poppy-heads. In suchcases a quarter of a grain of solid opium may also be taken inter-nally, and repeated every four or six hours.*

For the purpose of allaying heat and inflammation of the eyes,some practitioners give the preference to warm instead of cold col-iyria ; and among this number is Mr. Ware. The fact is, that in-flammations of the eyes are known to yield sometimes to cold, andsometimes to warm fomentations. In cases of high irritation thewarm may be used : but the alternate use of cold and hot applica-tions has sometimes succeeded when neither of them singly appear-ed capable of putting an end to the diseased action.

When the disease has been of long standing, I have seen veryextraordinary effects from a seton in the neck, or between theshoulders, especially the latter. It should be put upwards anddownwards, or in the direction of the spine, and in the middle be-tween the shoulder blades. It may be dressed twice a-day withyellow basilicon. I have known patients, who had been blind for aconsiderable time, recover sight by means of a seton placed a»

* Take Sulphate of Zinc,

Superacetate of Lead, of each,

8 grains.Mix them for an eye-wash.

orTake Solution of the Acetate of Ammo-nia,Rose Water, of each, 2 ounces., Camphor Mixture, 1 ounce.

Mix them.

orTake Purified Alum, \ drachm.

Rose Water,Mix them.

6 ounces.

Take Rose Water, 3 ounces

Solution of the Acetate of Lead,18 drops.Mix them.

orTake Sulphate of Zinc, 10 grains.

Rose Water,

Camphor Mixture, each, 3 ounce».Mix them.