As Recommended by 19th and 20th century Doctors! Courtesy of www.DoctorTreatments.com |
|
and please share with your online friends.
Purulent Inflammation of the Eyes.This is one of the most formidable affections of the eye which the surgeon is ever called upon to treat. When properly cared for, it is the most readily controlled, but when neglected or improperly treated, it is one of the most severe and disastrous of all the diseases to which the eye is subject. Many a life has been blighted in the first few weeks of existence by the destruction of the eyes a disaster which might have been avoided if the affection had been promptly and properly treated. It will be seen, therefore, that one who undertakes the treatment of purulent inflammation of the eyes assumes an immense responsibility; and it is equally evident that no one who is not thoroughly familiar with the nature and treatment of the disease should think of assuming such responsibility. Symptoms.-In the child the inflammation begins between the second and sixth day after birth. It is first noticed by the nurse, who detects a slight running from the eyes, some swelling and redness of the lids, and a gumming together of the lids during sleep. After a time, often in a few hours, the discharge becomes greatly increased in quantity ; it ceases to be watery and becomes yellow and thick. The eyelids become much swollen and very red, the swelling being sometimes so great that the lids can scarcely be separated. Many times the mucous membrane of the eye-the conjunctiva - becomes puffed up and separated from the globe by an accumulation of watery fluid underneath. This swollen conjunctiva may almost entirely cover the cornea, so that there is but little to be seen in the eye except the red and inflamed conjunctiva covered with matter. The matter collects between the lids in large quantities, and streams down the face when the lids are separated. The quantity of matter which is formed and escapes from the eyes in severe cases is most remarkable. The gravity of the disease depends partly upon the severity of the attack, but largely upon the promptness and skill with which remedies are applied. If properly treated, recovery is almost certain. Yet there are cases in which the attack is so severe that one or both eyes are destroyed within a few hours, almost before treatment is begun. In most of these cases, it will be ascertained on inquiry, that the mother was suffering at the time of confinement from a purulent discharge from the vagina, which may have been a genuine gonorrhoea or merely an aggravated case of u the whites. " Treatment.-The first requirement in treatment is to keep the eyes perfectly free from the discharge. This is to be accomplished by frequent washing with warm water. In order to do this, the child should be laid on the lap of the nurse, its head being turned to one side or the other, according as the one eye or the other is to be washed out. The lids are gently separated with the thumb and finger, while a small stream of water is allowed to run into the eye next to the nose, and to run out on the opposite side into a sponge or basin held beside the head to receive it. This must be repeated just as often as is necessary to prevent the accumulation of matter between the lids. This may be required every half hour, and should be attended to by night as well as by day. The importance of this measure cannot be overestimated ; without it, no remedies can save the eye in a severe case. After the eye has been washed out, one of the following lotions may be applied: Alum, - - Twelve grains. Distilled water, - - . - Two ounces This should be injected gently into the eye with a small glass syringe, the injection being repeated as often as is necessary to check the secretion of matter. In severe cases this lotion may be required every hour. As the discharge decreases in quantity, the intervals between the use of the injection may be increased. Two or three times a day the child should be seen by a sur geon, who will probably find it advisable to drop into the eye about three drops from the following solution: Nitrate of silver, - - Five grains. Distilled water, - - One ounce. This can be most conveniently applied by means of a dropping tube, or it can be brushed upon the lids with a soft camel's hair brush. The nitrate of silver solution is a powerful remedy, which must not be carelessly employed by inexperienced hands. Sometimes the edges of the lids and the skin of the cheek under the eyes become sore from the irritating character of the discharge ; this can be in a great measure relieved and prevented by keeping the parts smeared with vaseline. One of the unfortunate accidents which sometimes occur in severe cases of purulent inflammation of the eyes in infants, is a turning over of the upper lid, whereby the red and swollen mucous membrane is exposed. This is a very unpleasant sight, and may cause further trouble by the formation of sore and ulcerated places on the lid. This is a troublesome incident in the affection, and usually requires surgical interference for its removal. The matter should not, however, be neglected, since it may result in serious deformity of the lid if not promptly attended to. The great danger in purulent inflammation of the eyes is, that the inflammation may extend to the deeper structures of the eye, especially the cornea. So long as the conjunctiva - the mucous membrane covering the eye - alone is affected, there is no particular danger of impairment of sight. But it is impossible to say how long the inflammation will be thus limited to the conjunctiva. Instances are known in which it has spread to the cornea within twelve hours. The occurrence of this serious accident is indicated by a grayness or haziness at the front of the eye. After a few days, or even within twenty-four hours, a little hole or ulcer can be detected at the spot, surrounded by a white margin. When the inflammation subsides, the site of this ulcer will be marked by a white opaque spot on the cornea. This is usually permanent, and if it happen to be situated about the middle of the cornea - that is, in front of the pupil - it may constitute a serious impairment of vision. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
|