Case of Staphyloma
Extracted from the Lancet of December 31st, 1842:—
"Prussic Acid Vapour.—Mr. J. C. Atkinson, of Romney Terrace, Westminster, in a letter to the Editor, dated December 26th, after a few prefatory remarks, writes on this subject as follows:—A patient, aged 28, who had rather a severe attack of variola last May, became, after the recovery, subjected to staphyloma, one of the sequelæ of that formidable complaint. In this he was treated according to the approved methods, both at two public institutions and by private practitioners, for some months, without any apparent advantage, when I was applied to; I instantly determined on a trial of the prussic acid vapour, having read in your able journal an account of this new remedy some time before. After fourteen applications the opaqueness and prominence abated considerably, and the eye is now very serviceable, and nearly as useful as the sound one, no inflammation or appearance of irritation being observable. The plan adopted by me was most simple: the affected eye, open, was placed over a two-ounce phial, containing about half an ounce of the acid, while the patient's hand, properly directed, was to retain it in the position that was thought necessary. The time occupied in this operation was from five minutes to a quarter of an hour. The eye became in a short time inflamed, the conjunctiva exhibiting the appearance of deep injection, which gradually disappeared in a few hours, but which was not accompanied by any pain. No paralysis of any of the appendages of the eye has resulted from the application. Such is the outline of the case. I feel assured that this remedy will prove a powerful auxiliary in the hands of a surgeon-oculist."
Dr. Maclean's Cases
Extract from the Lancet, of January 7th, 1842. Cases in which the vapour of prussic acid was employed for the cure of Ophthalmic disease, by Donald J. Maclean, M.D., Lic. Roy. Col. Surg. in Edinburgh.
"I have been induced, for my own satisfaction, (in consequence of some observations made by Sir George Sinclair, who had witnessed its effects on patients under Dr. Turnbull's care), to give a very extended trial to the prussic acid in cases of ophthalmic disease which might be considered suitable for its application, and desire that the results of some of the cases should be submitted to the consideration of those of our profession who may take an interest in the subject I have, therefore, made out a report of the following cases. In our present state of knowledge it is impossible to explain the modus operandi of the prussic acid; it will be sufficient, meantime, to observe accurately, and merely give the results of treatment. In what kind of cases it will be found most suitable can only be determined by further inquiry and experience. If, however, the results prove permanent, the prussic acid must occupy a very high place amongst our remedial agents; and, possessing stimulant properties of a peculiar character, it may prove useful under many circumstances where diseases of the eye are not readily amenable to ordinary treatment.