If the inflammation does not yield to these evacuations, blistering-plasters must be applied to the temples, behind the ears, or upon the neck, and kept open for some time by the mild blistering ointment. I have seldom known these, if long enough kept open, fail to remove the most obstinate inflammation of the eyes; but for this purpose it is often necessary to continue the discharge for several weeks.
When the disease has been of long standing, I have seen very extraordinary effects from a seton in the neck, or between the shoulders, especially the latter. It should be put upwards and downwards, or in the direction of the spine, and in the middle between the shoulder-blades. It may be dressed twice a-day with yellow basilicon. I have known patients, who had been blind for a considerable time, recover sight by means of a seton placed as above. When the seton is put across the neck, it soon wears out, and is both more painful and troublesome than between the shoulders; besides, it leaves a disagreeable mark, and does not discharge so freely.
When the heat and pain of the eyes are very great, a poultice of bread and milk, softened with sweet oil or fresh butter, may be applied to them, at least all night; and they may be bathed with lukewarm milk and water in the morning.
If the patient cannot sleep, which is sometimes the case, he may take twenty or thirty drops of laudanum, or two spoonfuls of the syrup of poppies, over night, more or less according to his age, or the violence of the symptoms.
After the inflammation is gone off, if the eyes still remain weak and tender, they may be bathed every night and morning with cold water and a little brandy, six parts of the former to one of the latter. A method should be contrived by which the eye can be quite immersed in the brandy and water, where it should be kept for some time. I have generally found this, or cold water and vinegar, as good a strengthener of the eyes as any of the most celebrated collyriums.
When an inflammation of the eyes proceeds from a scrophulous habit, it generally proves very obstinate. In this case the patient’s diet must not be too low, and he may be allowed to drink small negus, or now and then a glass of wine, The most proper medicine is the Peruvian bark, which may either be given in substance, or prepared in the following manner:
Take an ounce of the bark in powder, with two drachms of Winter’s bark, and boil them in an English quart of water to a pint; when it has boiled nearly long enough, add half an ounce of liquorice-root sliced. Let the liquor be strained. Two, three, or four table-spoonfuls, according to the age of the patient, may be taken three or four times a-day, It is impossible to say how long this medicine should be continued, as the cure is sooner performed in some than in others; but in general it requires a considerable time to produce any lasting effects.
Dr. Cheyne says, ‘That Æthiops mineral never fails in obstinate inflammations of the eyes, even scrophulous ones, if given in a sufficient dose, and duly persisted in.’ There is no doubt but this and other preparations of mercury may be of singular service in ophthalmias of long continuance, but they ought always to be administered with the greatest caution, or by persons of skill in physic.
It will be proper frequently to look into the eyes, to see if any hairs be turned inwards, or pressing upon them[[105]]. These ought to be removed by plucking them out with a pair of small pincers.
Those who are liable to frequent returns of this disease, ought constantly to have an issue in one or both arms. Bleeding or purging in the spring and autumn, will be very beneficial to such persons. They ought likewise to live with the greatest regularity, avoiding strong liquor, and every thing of a heating quality. Above all, let them avoid the night-air and late studies[[106]].