CASE 13.
Amaurosis.
Frances Read, aged 14, daughter of —— Read, 71, Fetter Lane, and one of the scholars at the Blind School, Queen Square. Her mother said that she took her daughter to an Ophthalmic Institution until she was tired. No good was effected. The parents of this case were unable to say when the blindness first developed itself. She has always been able to see a little with the right eye.
I was first consulted in this case in July, 1842, when the right eye appeared to have some vision. The pupil acted under a strong light, but very sluggishly. She could observe objects very indistinctly with the left eye.
The prussic acid was employed almost daily, for three months, to both eyes. The right eye recovered so that she can now thread her needle. She is also learning to read.
Upon the pupil of the left eye the prussic acid does not appear to have the least effect.
As a general rule, I have found that when prussic acid does not dilate the eye, in amaurosis, much good is not to be expected from its use. In such cases I am inclined to believe that the disease is caused by pressure upon the optic nerve.
It is my intention to persevere in the application of the vapour to the left eye, with the view of ascertaining whether the sight may not be restored. I do not despair of success.