Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at Rush Medical College, Chicago,
Ill.
Purulent ophthalmia is caused by a specific germ, and is very
contagious.
_Local Treatment._—Irrigate with warm boric-acid solution or normal
salt solution every hour. Anoint the edges of the lids with sterile
vaselin to permit free drainage. Castor oil and glycerin, of each,
equal parts; or borated vaselin may be used for the same purpose.
Astringents and caustics, silver nitrate, etc., are usually applied by
the doctor.
_For an anodyne_, atropin is principally employed, also cold or hot
compresses; in the use of the latter care must be taken to prevent
irritation of the skin that will show itself in a permanent livid hue.
In case of excessive swelling a leech may be applied, or the doctor may
resort to scarification.
_Medicines_ consist of cathartics, diuretics, diaphoretics, opiates,
tonics.
_General Treatment._—Frequent baths, plenty of fresh air. Temperature
of the room should be uniform. Moderate and subdued light.
_Diet_ should consist of nutritious food, liquid or soft, according to
the condition of the patient.
The gravity of each case depends largely upon the extent to which the
cornea is involved.
Treatment must, of course, be modified according to the virulence of
the inflammation.
_To Apply a Leech._—Leeches are applied to relieve congestion. Put
one in a small vial with a mouth large enough for the leech to crawl
through. Cleanse the patient’s temple, and with a sterile needle
scratch the skin until the blood shows. Directly over this place the
mouth of the vial. The leech will bite almost instantly, and will drop
off when it is gorged. If the occasion requires the leech to be taken
off before it is gorged, sprinkle a little salt on its head. Hemorrhage
should not be checked unless profuse, in which case a piece of ice
or alum applied to the spot will arrest the flow. _If possible, the
patient should be kept in ignorance of the application._