Personal hygiene and physical training for women

by Anna M. Galbraith

Injuries to the Eyes.—The most common injuries to the eyes are the entrance of small particles of dust, cinders, steel filings, etc., into the conjunctival sac, or into the substance of the cornea. Frequently, with the aid of a little winking, the tears wash away these foreign substances, but if the substance lodges in the lining membrane of the upper or lower lid, or is imbedded in the cornea, it may be necessary to resort to other means in order to remove them.

The lining membrane of the lower lid is brought into view by simple tension of the lower lid downward by one finger. If the offending particle is not seen, the upper lid should be averted. This may be easily effected by the fingers alone. The patient is told to look down, the edge of the upper lid and the lashes are seized by the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and the lid is drawn at first forward and then downward away from the eye, then upward over the point of the thumb or forefinger of the left hand, which is held stationary on the lid and acts as a fulcrum. The foreign body should be removed with the handkerchief, but, if it is imbedded, it may be necessary for a competent physician to remove it.

The habit of opening the eyes when dipping the face into a basin of water, or when diving, produces congestion and inflammation of the conjunctiva.

Symptoms and Treatment of Conjunctivitis.—The eyes may be blood-shot and the lining membranes of the lids intensely red. There is a sense of irritation about the eyes and an intolerance of light, with a constant sense of discomfort. The sensation produced is that of having sand in the eyes. The eyes are heavy, and tire after using them for a short time.

The best treatment for acute conjunctivitis, which is so often caused by the penetration of dust or other foreign bodies into the conjunctival sac, is the application of cold water. A folded handkerchief is wrung out of ice-water and laid on the closed lids. It must be changed every few minutes, so that it shall not become warm; two cloths are necessary. When the acute symptoms have begun to abate, the patient will no longer find these applications grateful, and they must be discontinued.

For chronic conjunctivitis hot applications are the best. For these, one teaspoonful of fine table salt may be dissolved in a pint of hot water, or two teaspoonfuls of boric acid may be used instead; the last named is a mild antiseptic. The boric acid dissolves very slowly, so that it is well to prepare enough in the morning for the entire day. One tablespoonful of boric acid may be put into a quart bottle of hot water, and be well shaken from time to time, until there is a perfect solution.

When ready for use, half a pint may be heated, poured into a tumbler, which is then placed in a basin of hot water; this latter serves as a water-bath to keep the solution in the glass hot. The application should be made with a rather thick wad of absorbent cotton or a piece of fine cheese-cloth. The absorbent cotton should be picked up with all the water it will hold, and be placed over the closed eyes just as hot as can comfortably be borne, and held there until it begins to cool, when the procedure should be repeated. The two eyes can be treated simultaneously. These hot fomentations should be kept up for ten minutes, and be repeated four times a day.

Trachoma.—This malady, of which so much is heard now, is another name for granular conjunctivitis or granular lids. The affection is very contagious. It comes on slowly, and is frequently accompanied by redness and an appreciable degree of secretion in the early stages. Presence of secretion or of interference of the vision should always attract attention.

Strict precautions must be taken that the patient’s handkerchief, towel, and wash-basin are not used by other members of the family. Further, the other members of the family should bathe their eyes several times a day with a solution of boric acid.

Styes.—Styes are a very painful species of small boils that generally form on the edges of the eyelids. They are apt to appear in succession. Certain persons are liable to them if the system is run down from general causes. Like boils in other parts of the body, they give evidence of impaired nutrition.