These Remedies were made Use of three Weeks longer; but, seeing no farther Reduction of the Scale, I judged the Vision to be nearly restored to its original State. The stimulating Plaister and Electrization were then left off.
For a while there remained to the Patient an Incapacity of fixing Objects. As this was entirely dependant on the Weakness of the ocular Muscles, I prescribed Lotions with cold Water mixed with a few[26] Drops of HOFFMAN’S Balsam Vitæ, which at last perfected the Cure.
D. B. a Merchant in London, having contracted a virulent Gonorrhœa and Bubo, applied to a Surgeon of Repute, who (suspecting the whole Mass of Humours infected with the Venereal Taint) administered to him corrosive Sublimate in Spirits of Wine.
In order to keep his Body open, a Dose of Jalap indeed was given now and then: But as this Purgative is of a drastic[27] Kind, and as the Patient observed no Sort of Regimen (enjoying his Bottle as freely as before) a violent Salivation came on; which however, by timely Assistance, was soon conquered.
The Use of corrosive Sublimate had been re-assumed but a few Days, when the Patient having made an Excess in Drinking, his Running suddenly disappeared, and in Four-and-Twenty Hours broke out in the small Canthus of the Left Eye: both Eyes became inflamed, and the whole Face swelled.
The next Day the Opthalmia was such as the Patient could not bear Day’s Light. For a while he kept his Eyes shut; and when he did open them, it was only to be sensible that his Sight was nearly lost.
It was long before the Opthalmia was entirely discussed; but when it was so, the Vision was much affected, for the Patient could see no Objects except at a Distance; and those only partially, their Image being incompleat.
In his Vexation at this, he discharged the Surgeon who attended him, and applied to another.
In order to restore his Sight, Purges with Calomel were frequently given, and a Blister kept open on the Neck; but to no Effect.
A Discharge at the Nose was at last promoted by Powders Errhynes and Volatile Salts: These excited a fresh inflammation, and rendered the Disease worse.