Under no circumstances should poultices be applied to the eyes unless
ordered by a physician. I have seen many cases in which a simple
inflammation of the inside lining of the eyelids had been greatly
aggravated by bread and milk poultices, or tea leaves, bound upon the
closed eyelids and left on overnight. In fact, a distinguished professor
of diseases of the eye has formulated the results of his observations
thus: "Poultices spoil eyes."
All patent eye washes, eye salves, and other remedies advertised to cure
all diseases of the eye should be avoided. Different diseases require
different remedies. What will benefit one may injure another. When one
gets something the matter with his eyes and resorts to the use of a patent
medicine for its relief, he is in danger of losing valuable time. He may
lose an eye from want of proper treatment at the outset of the disease. In
a great city like New York, every one may easily avail himself of the
services of the most skillful physician. If unable to visit them at their
offices and pay their fees, they may consult them at the numerous
dispensaries, hospitals, and medical schools and colleges, where it will
cost them nothing.