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DISEASES  OF  THE EYE,
TREATED HOM(EOPATHICALIY.






                  ^3.1
I>BOM THE QIBMAK.
         BY




A. C.  BECKER, M.D.
         NEW'YORK:



WILLIAM RADDE, 322 BROADWAY.





            1847. 
V < \%\*   %• . «
    Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by

              WILLIAM RAD D E.

In the Clerk's Office, of the District Court, for the Southern District
                  of New York.
328964     *■
B. Ludwig, Printer,
   70 Vesey-sfc 
CONTENTS.
                                              Page
Ophthalmitis,.......5
Ophthalmia catarrhalis,.....9
     "      rheumatica,.....10
     "      impetiginosa,    .         .    .     .11
     "      BCROPHULOSA|.....ib.
     "      ARTHRITICA,      .    .    .,        .13
     "      SYPHILITICA,.....15
     "      SCORBUTICA,.....17
     "      iEGYPTIACA,      .....ib.
     "      neonatorum,.....19
Cataract,........28
Amaurosis,........36
Glaucoma,........43
Erysipelatous Inflammation of the Eyelids,     .  44
Cases,.........47 
 
DISEASES OF THE EYE.
By Ophthalmia is meant any, and every in-
flammation affecting the ball of the eye, its
tunics,  muscles, the eyelids, or  lachrymal
gland.  Like  every other  inflammation, it
varies in  form, cause, character,  complica-
tion, etc.
  We will  commence  with  Ophthalmitis,
which is distinguished by its synochal  cha-
racter and intensity, and thence  is  also called
Synochal Ophthalmia. Its symptoms are vio-
lent, deep-seated pains in the eyeball,redness,
swelling, and  spasmodic closing of the  eye-
lids, aversion to light, dryness of the eyeball,
headache, fever, and occasionally cerebral
affections.   Sometimes  the  inflammation
reaches such a height, as to cause a protrusion
of the eyeball.
  This is Exophthalmia, which  ought not to
be confounded with Exophthalmos.
  The causes of this affection are generally 
6              DISEASES OF
of a mechanical nature, such as blows, pres-
sure, contusions, etc.
  The treatment is simply the usual antiphlo-
gistic.   The first remedy should be Aeon., in
frequently-repeated doses, to be followed by
Arnica, Digitalis, Conium, etc., according as
the symptoms indicate  one  or the other re-
medy.  Low diet is very  important, all our
endeavors being directed towards preventing
the destruction of the eye.
  Sometimes the Ophthalmitis is less deep-
seated, less extensive and intense, or confined
to certain parts of the eye  only.  If it affects
the conjunctiva only, we call it conjunctivitis,
if the iris, iritis.
  Conjunctivitis is  a usual accompaniment
of Ophthalmia, but occurs also by itself.  It
is never so violent as Sclerotitis.  It begins
suddenly with a reddening of the conjunctiva,
the vessels lying very superficially like little
cords, seem injected, their diameter being en-
larged ; the cornea becomes  turbid, greyish-
white, and opaque,  to which is added, pain
and aversion to  light.   If the cornea alone
be  inflamed, the symptoms commence by
dulness of the tunic, which becomes more or
less  opaque, then  gradually reddens,  fre-
quently to a very high degree, and soon these
symptoms  are  followed by pain.   Loss of
vision, spots and ulcers are frequent termina-
tions of this inflammation. 
THE EYE.               7
   The symptoms of Sclerotitis, are very simi-
lar to those of conjunctivitis, but all highly
exaggerated in their degree, the vessels fuller,
the painsmore violent and intolerable. If Iritis
be present, and if it be the result of mechani-
cal injury, the pain is dull, aching, deep, the
sight impaired, the pupil contracted, photopsy
follows, and subsequently a  dark discolora-
tion of the small, and next of the large ring of
the iris.   The  latter swells  and pushes the
cornea forward, which soon  begins to parti-
cipate in the inflammation, and becomes dim.
The outward tunics are at first but little red-
dened, but the next day they  (Sclerotica and
Conjunctiva) become likewise affected, the
pain in the eyeball shifts about,  fever super-.
venes, the vision is gradually impaired and
lost, the pupil loses its shape, exudations ap-
pear, collapse of the pupil, extravasation of
pus, prodigious tumefaction  of  the  eyelids,
burning heat and pains in the eyeball, pains
in the eyebrow, and nape of  the neck, fever
increases,  restlessness  and aversion  to  the
faintest light.
   Iritis by  metastasis of gout or syphilis is
slower in  its progress, sometimes very tedi-
ous, and if neglected, or unskilfully treated,
generally  terminates in a total destruction of
the eye.
   Chorioideitis seldom appears alone, but
generally  accompanies ophthalmitis, or is a 
8
DISEASES OF
precursor  of amaurosis, particularly in ple-
thoric young persons.  Deep  in the eye oc-
curs a tense, aching sensation, which the pa-
tient attempts to remove by  rubbing,  but
thereby renders the pain throbbing and burn-
ing.  The sclerotica has a pale-red appear-
ance, and  the vessels of the conjunctiva are
dilated. Tears flow freely, the iris is immov-
able, normal in size, vision unimpaired,aver-
sion to light but trifling.  In two or three
days the pain and all the other  symptoms
have  become  very  much exaggerated, the
patient looks staring, the eye is very sensitive
to the touch, the pupil becomes angular, the
blue iris greyish-brown, fever of an  erethic
character, and delirium.
   The treatment of these several kinds of
ophthalmia requires  to be prompt and judi-
cious, particularly, however, in the last two,
iritis and chorioideitis.  Very valuable reme-
dies in the beginning are Aeon.,  Bry., Nux
vom., Euphrasia, Bell, and Cannabis, to be
selected not only with reference to the cause,
but also to the violence of the various symp-
toms  Thus,  Arnica is preferable in those
cases which originate in mechanical injuries;
Ars., Caps., Euphorb., Carb. veg., in cases
where a "burning"  pain is  the  prominent
symptom.  Merc. sol. has  frequently done
good service against burning, acrid, excoriat-
ing tears; Rhus has cured ophthalmia with 
THE EYE.
9
(edematous swelling.   Sepia and Sulph. have
also proved very valuable.   In inflammation
of the Cornea, we find Euphrasia and  Spi'
gelia  generally sufficient, and only in chronic
Cases  are we obliged to resort to antipsorics.
In Iritis the main remedy is Clematis, and if
it is of a syphilitic character, Acid, nitri. and
Mercurius ; if caused  by metastasis of gout,
Ars.,  Bry., Coloc, Hep., Sulph., Puis., Rhus,
and likewise  Merc.   The  same treatment
applies to Chorioideitis.
  With reference to the character of ophthal-
mia, we have to observe, that it depends not
only on the individuality of the patient, but
also on the exciting cause of the disease, the
state  of the weather, etc.  We will now pro-
ceed to the separate forms.
  Ophthalmia  catarrhalis  affects the  con-
junctiva  and  the eyelids,   and also  the
meibomian glands;  it  is  seldom  violent,
and mostly without fever.   It is the taraxis
of  the older writers.  It commences  with
a  "cold  in  the head,"  sore  throat,  and
headache, and thus,  like catarrhs,  is often
epidemic.   At first the eye  appears  dry,
very  sensitive to light and air, it itches  and
burns,  and  the  conjunctiva appears  red;
subsequently occurs an increased secretion,
which is of a purulent character, and during
the night the eyelids become glued together,
a burning sensation  is felt, and to these are
                    2 
10
DISEASES OF
added  the  usual catarrhal symptoms.  In
itself this affection is trifling, and without dan-
ger, and frequently disappears in a few days
with a little care and attention  to  warmth,
but it is apt to become very tedious by a new
catarrh, or injudicious management, and may
give rise to other diseases of the eye.   The
best remedies for it are Aeon., Bell.,  Calc,
Cham., Iod., Nux, Puis., Sulph.
  Rheumatic Ophthalmia is not unfrequently
mistaken for the catarrhal,  although they
seem to us  easily distinguishable. In the lat-
ter, the whole eye is red, and the vessels run-
ning towards the cornea are dilated ;  in the
former, there are on both sides red spots only,
or a red ring extending round the cornea, and
the redness is that of carmoisin, whereas it is
more like violet in the  catarrhal.  The  eye
remains dry through the whole disease; there
is no increased mucous secretion, the tears,
however, flow  considerably with much pain
in the lachrymal gland, which frequently par-
ticipates in this disease; the pain is greater
than in the catarrhal form, and  increases to-
wards  evening, and night.  Sometimes the
eyelids are not  inflamed at all, but their com-
missure reddened- considerably.   Together
with these symptoms we find violent head or
toothache ; rheumatic  sufferings in the ex-
tremities, frequently alternate with this foifm
of ophthalmia, which is all the more danger-
ous, as it is apt  to change into iritis. It some- 
THE  EYE.
11
times leaves pustules behind, which are lia-
ble to ulcerate and cause prolapsus iridis.
  With regard to the treatment, our first care
should be to guard against  the possibility of
its affecting other parts of the eye.  A mode-
rately  dry temperature, and careful  diet,
ought to be attended to.  The remedies are
Puis., if there is tearing and pricking; next to
it Bell, and Rhus.  Clematis should be given
against aching pain, and increased flow of
tears in the open air.  In severe cases, Acon.u
Euphr., Cannab., Nux, may be indicated.
Spigelia should  be resorted to when the
pains are very deep-seated, and increased by
moving the eyeball, or, in case the pains are
piercing and  pricking, and  there is heat and
burning in the eye, accompanied by a copious
flow of sharp, corroding tears.  If  the affec-
tion becomes protracted, and we find burn-
ing, sharp pains in the  eye, especially in the
open air, extreme sensitiveness to light, much
flowing of tears in the  evening, Merc, is the
remedy, which may be alternated with Sulph,
and Hepar.
   Ophthalmia impetiginosa is always the con-
sequence of the spreading  of an eruption of
the face or in its vicinity, such as crusta lactea,
tetters,  etc., and disappears with them, with-
out any special treatment for itself.
 ' Ophthalmia scrophulosa  is a well-known
and frequent complaint amongst children, ge- 
12
DISEASES' OF
nerally appearing first between the second and
seventh years. It attacks, first of all, the mei-
bomian glands,and not unfrequently becomes
a very violent and obstinate inflammation of
the eyelids, called Blepharophthalmia.  This
affection may exist for many years, and by
spreading, has given rise to pustules, and ul-
cers of the cornea.  The meibomian glands
sometimes swell to such a degree, that the in-
side of the eyelids assumes the appearance of
red velvet.   Frequently  a  pimple  under the
inner angle of the eye is formed ;  the eye is
periodically very averse to the light, seems to
be swimming in water,  the tears which run
down the cheeks are so sharp, as to excoriate
the latter;  in the morning, on waking,  the
eyelids are  found to be  glued together, the
child rubs and scratches them violently, likes
to be on his face, and shows at the same time
the usual symptoms of scrophulosis.   Erup-
tions on the head, flow of matter from the ears,
etc., are frequent precursors.
  This complaint shows periodical exacerba-
tion ;  it is better in summer,but grows worse
in the spring  and autumn, especially during
sudden  changes of temperature.  The treat-
ment must be continued very long, before the
disesase can  be  thoroughly cured;  besides
which,  relapses  are constantly to be  appre-
hended. In  the commencement, when the
inflammation is violent, Aeon, is to be admi- 
THE EYE.
13
•nistered. If the eyelids are very tense and can
 only be opened with much difficulty, or not
 at all, Bell, is indicated.
   Cannabis, Euphr. and Nux  are also suit-
 able remedies.  Puis, will prove very ser-
 viceable when  the complaint  is advanced,
 the eyes itch and burn, the eyelids are dry,
 pimples in the  angle, tears running in the
 open air, eyelids glued together by pus, dim-
 ness of the cornea.   Another very valuable
 remedy  is Digitalis, which, together  with
 Puis., meets most of the general symptoms of
 scrophulosis.  All these  medicines, however,
 will not work a radical cure of this complaint,
 because they do not effect a  constitutional
 change, as is done by the antipsorics.  In the
 erethic form  of this complaint,  Mer. corr., of
 3d trituration, is the  most valuable remedy,
 whereas in the torpid form it does  harm in-
 stead of good.  As a matter of course, the diet
 must be strictly regulated, and consist of easily-
 digestible food; the child should be bathed fre-
 quently in luke-warm water, and the bowels
 be attended to.  In fact, it is very important to
 restore to, or preserve in their normal  condi-
 tion, as the case may be, all the animal func-
 tions.
   Ophthalmia arthritica is always a bad com-
 plaint, and found only  amongst people ad-
 vanced  in life, particularly the  gouty.  Its
 course is either acute or chronic. In the first
                     2* 
14
DISEASES OF
case it generally begins with Sclerotitis. The
eye is but little red or swollen, yet very pain-
ful, the pain extending over its entire orbit,
and over the temples, and upper jaw into the
teeth.  The inflammation is then easily liable
to spread to the corpus ciliare, iris, choroides,
and that leads to sad consequences, such as
amaurosis, cataract, staphyloma, collapse of
the pupil, etc.   Sometimes the pain conti-
nues even after complete blindness has taken
possession of the diseased eye, or it extends
into the other.   The  inflammation is gene-
rally of a erysipelatous nature, the eyelidsare
slightly reddened, are swollen, and exude an
acrid secretion.   The  chronic form, which is
met with more frequently, makes its appear-
ance usually as  inflammation of the capsule
of the lens.  The subjects chiefly exposed to
this affection, are those who suffer with ar-
thritis anomala, with frequent  pains in  the
head, ears and teeth, and  simultaneous con-
gestions to the head.   Often, again, it com-
mences  with inflammation of the  cornea,
which leaves behind it a speck on the cornea,
affecting its transparency ; at the same time
little vesicles  are formed, which become very
painful ulcers.   As the  disease progresses,
iritis is developed, the conjunctiva of the eye-
lids becomes  detached, and eversion of  the
eyelids is the  consequence.
   Causes  for this affection are injury of  the
eye in gouty individuals, taking cold in  the 
THE EYE.
15
   head, getting the  body or feet wet, etc.  A
   prompt treatment is necessary.   Commence
   with Aeon, repeated frequently.  Bell, is in-
   dicated in painful pressure, an aversion to
   light, Spigelia in injection of the vessels of
   the  albuginea, accompanied by a sensation
   as if the ball of the eye were swelled, Puis.
   when the pain is  very violent, eyelids very
   dry, red and swollen, pain, a  burning ache,
   piercing, cutting, or also tearing and pricking.
   Rhus, when the pain is aching and burning,
   aggravated by a motion of the eyes, and the
   eyelids are blistered, Coloc. in burning, cut-
   ting pains, and an  acrid excoriating secretion
   from the eyes.  Besides these, we recommend
   to the attention of physicians, Digit., Verat.,
   Ant. crud., Mer.  sol., Hepar., Ars.   More-
   over, in this affection, too, it is very impor-
   tant to  remove the cachexia which lies at
   its foundation, if we wish to guard against
   relapses.
^t~   Ophthalmia syphilitica  is, on the whole, a
<££ rare disease, and occurs mostly in individuals
^ who have  weak eyes, and who in their child-
   hood have been afflicted with ophth. scroph. It
   attacks the cornea first, frequently, however,
   the conjunctiva at the same  time, and  soon
   after the sclerotica, lens and retina.   Super-
   added to this, we often have an inflammation
   of the corpus ciliare, and iritis in consequence.
   These parts bleed, suppurate, and the eye is 
16
DISEASES OF
destroyed.   This inflammation is longer in
its course than ophth. gonorrhoea, the  pains
are periodical, worse at night, and consist in
single darts, which seem to proceed from the
neighboring bones, from the edges of the or-
bit, and the root of the nose.  At the same
time, there are present, aversion to light, run-
ning of tears, and the symptoms of corneitis
and iritis, in a high degree.   If ulceration of
the cornea has commenced, the eye cannot be
saved. If the ophthalmia is owing to local con-
tact with  gonorrhoeical  secretion, the symp-
toms are, violent burning, redness, profuse
blennorrhea, in  fact, gonorrhoea in the eye.
This does not amount to much if early at-
tended to.   One of the most dangerous forms,
is the ophth. gonorrhoeica, by which the  ball
of the  eye is sometimes destroyed by ulcer-
ation, in a week.
   It develops itself only in patients who have
lately had gonorrhoea.  The usual cause is a
cold in the genital organs, whereby the dis-
charge from the urethra is arrested, and seems
gone, until it re-appears in the eye.  At first,
we  notice inflammation of the conjunctiva,
and even of the cornea, with copious mucous
secretion; then the conjunctiva swells up into
a bright blister.  The cornea and iris become
inflamed, deep ulcers appear with prolapsus
iridis,  the watery humors become turbid, at
the same  time the choroides and sclerotica 
THE  EYE.
17
become affected, the  iris protrudes through
the openings in the cornea, etc.  A purulent
mucous is secreted early—in the first days—
and in such quantity as to run down the
cheeks.
   Treatment. — Mercurial  preparations are
the specific.  The solubilis and sublimate de-
serve a preference, and should be  adminis-
tered at short intervals in the first trituration.
Another well-tested remedy, is Acid, nit., es-
pecially  after the  mercury.   Hepar.  and
Sulph. may be indicated at the close of the
treatment.   If this gonorrhoeal  ophth. pro-
ceeds from immediate infection, the treatment
should be the same as above.
  In Ophth. Scorbutica, the sclerotica is of a
violet-red, which soon extends to the conjunc-
tiva.   The conjunctiva becomes soon vari-
cose,  the eye very sensitive to light  and
bright objects, the cornea dim, lifeless, with-
out gloss, the iris varicose, immovable, and
pushed forward, in the conjunctiva and ante-
rior chambers extravasations are formed, the
already impaired vision is  now totally lost.
Besides these we have the usual  symptoms
of scurvy.  The remedies  are the  same as
against scurvy, the  most valuable of  which
are, Acid nitr., Ac.  muriat., Ac. sulph.
  Ophthalmia cegyptica, is a disease remark-
able for its aetiology, and its manner  of ap-
pearance, and of a very dangerous character. 
18
DISEASES OF
So destructive is it, that whole families, and
even whole companies of soldiers, have been
deprived by  it of their sight.  It  was not
known in Europe, till towards the close of
the last century, when it was brought over
from Egypt, by French and English soldiers.
It appears in the form of a violent gonorrhoea
in the eye, the  lids  swollen, excessive pain
in the  eyeballs,  especially at night, great
aversion to light, and it frequently causes, in
the course of one or two days, total destruc-
tion  of  the eyeball.   It commences  with a
sensation, as if there were sand between the
eyeball  and the lids, lachrymation, the con-
junctiva of the eyelids has a palish-red ap-
pearance. These symptoms last several days
in light  cases.  They are followed by aver-
sion to light, swelling of the eyelids, the con-
junctiva becomes velvety, and blistered, and
then comes a profuse  discharge of purulent
mucus.   In  severe cases,  we find, even at
the  beginning,  inflammation of the con-
junctiva scleroticae, which rapidly communi-
cates itself to the cornea and iris, causing
ulcers, or in the most favorable terminations,
film, prolapsus iridis, or collapse of the pupil.
If accompanied by fever, delirium, and cere-
bral symptoms, we may presume a high de-
gree of iritis, and inflammation of the entire
eyeball.
   The origin of the disease, is a contagion 
THE  EYE.
19
of a fixed character, respecting whose form-
ation  a variety of hypotheses has been  ad-
vanced.  Most probably it has been caused
by heat, and the hot sands in the deserts of
Egypt;  its malignancy increased by  the
frequent privations which the soldiers under-
went, until a contagium was developed, as is
the case with most epidemics. The question,
what  remedies should  be employed against
this  dreadful  malady,  we  can  answer—
though very  unsatisfactorily—only by re-
commending a closer study to discover the
medicines, which can produce a similar group
of symptoms.   If we pursue such a course of
analysis on one side, and synthesis on the
other, we find the following remedies best
indicated: Euphr., Digit., Graph., and Sulph.
and Merc.
  Ophthalmia  neonatorum, or ophth. of new-
born  children, is, with  regard to  its destruc-
tiveness, next to the Egyptian, the most dan-
gerous of inflammations of the eye.  It ap-
pears as very trifling at first, and yields rea-
dily to good treatment,but becomes a scourge
when it finds its way into the cottages of the
poor,  or foundling-hospitals.  And  it is just
amongst these that it  makes its appearance
mostly; very  rarely amongst the  opulent.
The older writers either do not mention it at
all, or only superficially, and no accurate de-
scription of it existed, until the 17th  century, 
20
DISEASES OF
when Riverius, in 1669, tells us, that a cer-
tain  liAlbrecht,> had  noticed creamy tears,
running from the eyes of a new-born infant,
and  in  1750,  several German  writers  de-
scribed  the disease  more  minutely.   Since
then, many able men,  in many countries,
have bestowed much labor upon discovering
the pathology  of, and best treatment for  the
disease, and although it has of late attracted a
great deal of attention, and has been ably  dis-
cussed,  we are still without a monograph on
the complaint.   The general symptoms are
as follows:—between the first and fourteenth
day, but generally on the seventh, after the
birth of the child,  which had  before been
opening its eyes with perfect ease and com-
fort,  it begins to show an aversion to light, on
either one or  the  other  eye, and closes the
eyelid spasmodically.  Soon after, tears be-
gin frequently to exude  from the eye, and
either redden  the cheek, or cause a peculiar
sticking-together of the  eyelashes.   This  is
followed by a slight reddening of the border
of the upper eyelid—it is in this that the dis-
ease most commonly breaks out—and a slight
oedematous swelling of both eyelids, as far as
the borders of the orbits, the running of tears
increases, at the inner angle of the eye ap-
pears a mucous secretion, and during the
night, the  lids become glued together.  On
opening the eye in the morning, we find the 
THE  EYE.
21
space  between the eyelids filled with  a
whitish-yellow secretion, and the conjunc-
tiva of the lid much reddened.  Thus far the
other eye has remained healthy, but now it
becomes affected  with the same symptoms,
in the same succession, whilst the first eye
begins to improve in the same ratio, leading
us to  suppose a metastasis.  But  this lasts
only,  till the disease on the last-attacked eye
reaches  the  st-cretory  process, and  then  it
rushes on both with increased violence, hur-
rying towards its climax.   Frequently this
complaint attacks both  eyes at once ; rarely
does it remain confined to one throughout its
whole course.
  During the stage of secretion the oedema-
tous swelling of  the eyelids, especially the
upper, increases, the palpebral conjunctiva of
both  rises in  little blisters, but particularly
that of the upper, and thus forms a dark-red
lump, which not unfrequently hangs down
to the nose, presenting a horrible  spectacle,
and laying the foundation to eversion of the
eyelids.  The inflammation of the palpebral
consecutively attacks the neighboring parts,
and occasions swelling of the cheeks, lachry-
mal sac, etc.  In  this stage, a hemorrhage
from the blistered  conjunctiva is a rare, but
a favorable symptom, especially if returning
at short intervals, because  the consequence
is a  rapid diminution of the swelling of the
                    3 
22
DISEASES OF
whole conjunctiva, and the suppuration be-
comes less and milder.   But if this desirable
symptom does not appear, a mixture of mu-
cus and pus flows from the hot, almost fiery
eyelids, often striped with blood, or  if the
patient be cachectic, suffering at the  same
time with jaundice or thrush, the eye  pours
out a thin fluid, which  is soon followed by
colliquation of the whole ball of the eye.  If
the child is not kept quite clean, and the pus
is permitted to run down the cheeks, it there
forms a crust, which adds to the already dis-
tressing appearance of the child.  Should the
inflammation communicate from the palpe-
bral conjunctiva, to that covering the eyeball,
the heat, swelling, and pain, will increase
twofold, a new exacerbation will take  place,
and after having run  through its stage, it
takes hold of the entire ball, frequently ter-
minating  in  colliquation.   Recovery com-
mences with a gradual decrease in the mu-
cous secretion, or change into a watery se-
cretion like tears ; and this, causing  for  a
long time  after, a peculiar gluing  together
of the  eyelashes, remains  the  last outward
symptom of the disease, excepting an aver-
sion to light, and secondary affections of the
eyeball, if  the attack on this had been very
violent.
   This disease causes  great  constitutional
derangement in the infant; sometimes, how- 
THE EYE.
23
ever, it is itself the result of other complaints,
such as aphthae, jaundice, defective nutrition,
emaciation, a syphilitic blennorrhoea, etc., etc.
On this circumstance depends the duration of
the ophthalmia, which may last from two to
twelve weeks.
  The above  group  of symptoms  contains
the pathognomonic signs of the disease, from
which individual cases  may vary  accord-
ing to the aetiology,  constitution, outward
circumstances and  influences, whether spo-
radic  or epidemic, locality, care,  cleanli-
ness,  etc.  Very clearly, however, we can
distinguish  in  this  disease three distinct
stages, to which various names have been
applied by various writers.  We call them :
   1. Stage of Hydrorrhea (flow of water)—
in which a watery secretion  is  discharged
from the eye.   At the commencement of the
stage, the eyeballs  seem to  swim in water,
the eyelashes are constantly  wet,  and the
watery  discharge is  very  profuse,  some-
times trickling down the cheeks, at others,
escaping in  gushes.   The edges of the eye-
lids are  reddened, and on examining  their
inner surface in this stage, which is usually
attended with great  aversion  to light,  we
find  on  the  conjunctiva  separate spots or
small streaks, which, if  closely  examined,
have the appearance  of ramifications of the
trunk of a vessel dilated with blood,  termi- 
24
DISEASES OF
nating in a strong point.  This peculiar ap-
pearance of the commencing  inflammation
of mucous membranes, can only  be explain-
ed by the peculiarity in their organization.
Not unfrequently are  the vascular injections
found  simultaneously on the conjunctiva of
the ball of the eye, giving the whole a very
dirty appearance, which is greatly increased
if jaundice, erysipelas, etc. are making their
approach.  The duration of this stage is un-
certain ;  it is to be borne in mind, that the
complaint commences with this stage, and
ends with it also.
  The watery secretion changes sometimes
in a  few hours, at  others, in a few days,
into a  mucous,  and then  begins the second
stage.
   2.  The stage of Phlegmatorrhcea.—The
swelling  of the  eyelids  increases, especially
in the upper, which hangs, lapping over the
lower.
  A tenacious,  thick,  transparent  mucus
escapes from between the eyelids, and forms
a yellow crust on the eyelashes, frequently
gluing together the  eyelids.   Their con-
junctiva  assumes a granulating,  velvety ap-
pearance, and secretes  the above-described
mucus, and often protrudes from below the
upper lid.   Now, it  is seldom  possible  to
observe  the condition  of the eyeball, be-
cause of the spasm of the lids, and the quan- 
THE  EYE.
25
tity of mucus in which the eyeball literally
swims.   Some writers, however,  affirm to
have noticed in this stage a violent inflam-
mation of the conjunctiva of the eyeball, and
a loosening of the cornea,  in living children.
The writer of this has observed this state of
things in children, who had died from other
causes during this stage of the disease. This
stage  lasts  a  few days only.  Eversion of
the eyelids is rare.  Sometimes  the  whole
complaint terminates  at  this stage,  disap-
pearing in the same  way that it came.  If
not, we find in a few days
   3.  The stage   of Pyorrhcea,  or flow of
pus.—The   conjunctiva looks  now like  a
conglomerate of small lymphatic,  red balls,
and from it exudes  a viscid, thick, dark-
yellow pus, or at other times it is  greenish
and corroding.  On separating the swollen
eyelids, we  find the eyeball bathed in it—
a  horrible  sight.  The  cornea  begins to
soften,  and  to  peel  off in scales, and the
inner lamellae of the cornea protrude.  If the
destruction  of the eye terminates here,  it  is
a  fortunate  circumstance, but that  is but
rarely the  case.  The destruction of one
layer of the cornea after the other  goes on,
the last  bursts,  the  iris  is pushed out,  it
shares the same  fate,  and  thus gradually we
have  in a few hours a collapse of all  the tu-
nics ;  the eyes in the child's head have melt-
                      3* 
26             DISEASES OF
ed away, and incurable blindness  is the re-
sult!  Those children may  be  considered
fortunate, who escape with  an adhesion of
either the uvea to the crystalline capsule, or
of the iris to the  cornea, which latter is the
most frequent, and causes  an elongation of
    pupil.
  The diseases consequent  upon  the  Oph-
thalmia neonatorum, have their seat either in
the eyelids,  or in  the  eyeball.  In conse-
quence of the great relaxation of the former
during the disease, they become everted, if
improperly treated.  The usual sequel  is  a
protracted flux of tears, and an abnormal red-
ness of the inner surface of the eyelids.   The
injuries  done to the eyeball are more serious
—atrophy, adhesion of the cornea and iris,
various kinds of staphyloma, hydrops, bulbi,
cataracta centralis, etc.
   In the course of this disease the little suf-
ferers feel most at ease in the morning, to-
wards evening they  become restless,  their
head and hands hot, the swelling of the eye-
lids becomes redder  and hotter, they cry
and moan very bitterly, and  want the.breast
very frequently.   This exacerbation  lasts
till midnight, when the violence of the symp-
toms begins to abate.
   JEtiology.—Everything acting  as an ir-
ritant to the eye, too strong  light,  dirty wa-
ter  containing earthy matter, coarse sheets 
THE  EYE.
27
or towels, tedious and protracted labor, fluor
albus of the mother, etc.
  Prognosis on the whole, and if early and
good treatment is adopted,  not unfavora-
ble, and hardly ever fatal to life.
   Treatment divided into local and general.
The former should,  at the commencement,
consist in cold  water applications, which,
according to the experience in foundling hos-
pitals, is often sufficient to arrest the disease
in the first stage.   But, if it has gone into the
second, the  child  must be kept in the dark,
and  in very  well-ventilated rooms.   The
mucous secretion  should be  very carefully,
gently, and frequently  washed off, taking
care that the sponge  be very soft, or, if linen,
fine,  and that the edges  of the eyelids only
be touched, not the eyeball.
   The constitutional treatment should com-
mence with Aeon., and be continued until the
inflammation is subdued, and an increase in
the secretion of mucus has taken place.  Then,
according to circumstances and'symptoms,
we  should give Cham.,   Nuxf,  Bry.,  Bell.,
Puis., etc.  According to clinical experience,
Cham, and  Calcarea are the most valuable
remedies.  Igna.tia, too,  is highly extolled by
some oculists.   The  above   constitutional
treatment refers to the first  stage.  In the
second we recommend Euphrasia in  parti-
cular, and next to  it Borax and Puis.  None 
28
DISEASES OF
of these remedies  will be of any service in
the third stage, excepting Calc. and Sulph.
If caused by leucorrhcea or syphilis,  Merc.
and Ac. nit. are indicated.
  The best treatment, in our opinion, is to
commence  with a  few doses  of Aeon., and
then, whatever the aetiology may  be,  pro-
ceed to low triturations of Mercury, with the
view of making a  decided impression.
  Cataract is an  opacity of the crystalline
lens, of its capsule, or of the  Morgagnian
fluid, separately or conjointly, which causes
the rays of light to be broken, and a conse-
quent obstruction of the sense of vision.  In
the commencement of the  complaint all ob-
jects appear enveloped in  mist, dirty and
dusty,  the flame  of the candle seems sur-
rounded  by  a  many-colored glare or glory.
As the opacity increases, so  the sight dimi-
nishes, and the lens appears either grey, or
yellowish.   The dimness begins in the  cen-
tre, and therefore, when the pupil  is much
dilated, the patient may yet see very well,
but it  extends gradually,  and the want of
transparency in  the  lens  increases.    The
pupil still remains  capable of contraction, and
dilation, by the influence  of light, but the
movement is slower, and the dilation greater,
than usual.  Soon, the patient can no longer,
distinguish anything but light and shade, or,
at  the  utmost,   strikingly-glowing  colors. 
THE EYE.
29
At the climax of the disease even this rem-
nant  of vision is lost, the eye becomes star-
ing,  and moves without object in indefinite
directions, the pupil is  dilated,  and contracts
only under  the  influence of very powerful
rays  of light, or on gently  rubbing the eye-
lids ;  sometimes the pupil retains its normal
size,  or appears even contracted ; the latter
especially, if  morbidly increased sensibility
is present.
  Cataract may, particularly in the beginning,
be mistaken  for  that  amaurosis, which is
complicated with exudations on  the  retina,
or with  opacity of the cornea.  It is  to  be
distinguished  from the former by the fact, to
be noticed on close inspection, that the opacity
in cataract is immediately behind the  pupil;
in amaurosis it lies deep in the-eye ; from opa-
city of the cornea, by the circumstance, that
the latter retains the same compass, whether
the pupil contracts or dilates.  Besides, the
opacity of the cornea  may clearly be seen
behind it, if looking sideways at the eye.
  All cataracts  are alike in the  above par-
ticulars, but  they  differ in others, hence a
classification of them.
  They are divided—
   1.—In  respect  to the seat of the  opacity,
     into—
     A. Cat. lenticularis, where the  crystal-
       line lens  is affected ; 
30
DISEASES OF
    b. Cat. capsularis, where the capsule is
       affected.
    c. Cat. Morgagnia,  where  the  liquor
       Morgag. is affected.
    d. Cat. universalis, where all the above
       parts are affected.
  2.—In respect to their nature—
    A. Cat. dura, where the lens  is indu-
       rated.  This  species  is  met  with
       chiefly  in old people, and to be dis-
       tinguished thereby, that its  color  is
       brownish, with a tendency to the red
       or yellow,  of smaller compass, small
       pupil, wide anterior  chamber, and
       that the lens does not lie close to the iris.
    b. Cat. mollis, when  the lens is soft,
       presents a white, glossy appearance,
       and a wider circle.
    c. Cat. lactea, when the lens is changed
       into a  milky substance,  white  and
       glossy, and uniform in color.
    d. Cat. puriformis, where,  in  conse-
       quence  of inflammation, the lens has
       become changed into a purulent sub-
       stance.
  JEtiology.—This  affection is  frequently
hereditary, especially in children, descending
from  parents who have been afflicted with
syphilis, or itch, or there may exist hereditary
predisposition, which may be developed by
the above diseases.  Further causes  are, very 
THE EYE.
31
advanced age, physical and  mental weak-
ness, want of nutrition, too much, and too
constant  use of the eyes, especially in  very
powerful light, or at dusk, chemical and me-
chanical  irritants, intemperance, congestions
to the head, suppression of natural secretions,
metastasis of gout, a morbid state of the con-
stitution, ophthalmia, and exudations.
  The prognosis is more favorable in the
idiopathic, than in the symptomatic, because
in the latter it is difficult to remove the dys-
crasia which lies at the root of it.  It is more
favorable in the  young and  robust.  If the
complaint is of long standing, it may be con-
sidered incurable.
  On the treatment of Cataract, Dr. H.  V.
Mallan says, in No. XX. of the British Journal
of Homoeopathy :—
  " No medicine, or internal treatment, has,
as yet, been of any avail  in  confirmed and
ripe cataracts; this was left  for better  days
in  medical science,  and  homoeopathy has
given us means  of cure, which were totally
unknown before.  I do not mean to say, be
it well understood, that homoeopathy will en-
tirely supersede surgery, and that we are not
to trust this latter means, or even employ it—
no ; but  I wish to draw attention  to  these
three remarks only—that,  1. In many cases,
homoeopathy  will cure,  completely,  cure,
real cataracts, even old and ripe ones.  2.'  In 
32
DISEASES OF
many more it will prevent the progress of the
cataract on the other eye, when as  yet only
one is affected.  3. That if it does not always
succeed in curing, it will always prepare the
whole constitution for the surgical operation,
prevent inflammatory accidents after it, and
secure its success.
 " This part of medical treatment has been to
this day too much neglected, because to  our
eyes this, more or less exorganic, body seemed
not fit for medical treatment;  and because
we have  been accustomed to hear,  that
surgical operation only is of any use, we have
left aside the internal treatment, which will
often be crowned with far more success, than
is generally expected.  Not the least process
in the human body, morbid or natural,  can
take  place without  the whole constitution
taking some part in  it.  We cannot  expect
that an organ of the body, be it ever so small,
can become affected quite independently of
the organism, but rather that it becomes af-
fected in consequence of a morbid process ex-
isting, though not seen, in the organism itself.
I am as far from admitting such confined no-
tions, as I  would be right to admit, that the
very same organ  has no common tie with the
rest of the  body, and is not one constituent
part of it,  by its  nerves, its vessels, and all
its texture.
   " If, therefore,  one part of the body is dis- 
THE  EYB,
33
eased, we must not direct our treatment to it
solely, and use what is  called a local treat-
ment alone.  We must act on the whole con-
stitution in the same way, as we would direct
our attention to the whole tree, when it bears
decayed fruit.   In this case, and for this very
simple reason, it is not only advisable, but
necessary, to have an internal, general treat-
ment, and this way of attending to disease,
will prevent many a failure, and the harm
which might ensue from a local treatment. In
a case of  cataract, therefore, the whole con-
stitution must be acted upon, as in all similar
diseases.  Our materia  medica has many a
remedy against  such a state.  My intention
is not to discuss here the comparative value
of each of these, but to make a few remarks
on the treatment in general.  The remedies
reckoned  the  most  important are,  Sulph.,
Silic.,  Caust.,  Cann., Phos.,  Cole, and Con.
The antipsorics, of course, must form the basis
of the treatment, as the whole constitution
must undergo a change, from the action of
the remedy, which must extend to the pri-
mary cause of disease.  This cause is  what
has been  called psora.   If the psora has been
acquired by the patient, and the cataract has
developed itself after the disappearance,more
or less sudden, of the itch, even many  years
afterwards, the  treatment will not only be
easy, but sure.  I have remarked in the few
                    4 
34
DISEASES OF
cases which came under my notice, that un-
der the influence of antipsorics, and particu-
larly of Sulph., an  eruption  was produced,
with the intensity of which, the symptoms of
the cataract gradually amended. This speaks
for the use of antipsorics at once.  If there are
no accidents which would prevent this mode
of treatment, the antipsorics, and  at the head
of them Sulph., must therefore be resorted to,
in one or two doses, at intervals of a day, and
not repeated till their action is over.  Some-
times there are accidental symptoms, which
though not very prominent, will require to be
removed by an apsoric, before the antipsoric
can have any action at all on the constitu-
tion, and this is true in other cases, as well
as the one under our present notice.
   " Should the psora not have been acquired,
but inherited, the treatment  will be longer
and more uncertain, particularly if the cata-
ract is  already advanced; it is then habitu-
ally connected with  a bad state of the general
health ; a long chronic affection, which is to
be considered, not as the cause of the cataract,
but as  its  accompaniment only, and  the
symptoms of the cataract will amend with
those of the general health, keeping pace
with them.
   " Here the treatment must at first be direct-
ed to the general health;  as long as this is no
 better,  not  only will the cataract  not be 
THE  EYE.
35
amended, but will make  progress, and its
cure will be rendered  impossible.   In regu-
lating the general health of the patient, the
cataract  will be benefited, and its progress
retarded.  When the health is restored to its
normal state, then the  eye should alone be
attended to, and then only will the disease
yield to the treatment.   It is not to be under-
stood by that, that no medical treatment must
be used, on the contrary, it will always pre-
pare the constitution,  as  we  have already
mentioned.
  "According to these views, Sulp. is the first
remedy to be given ; one or two globules of
a high  potency.  Should  no  improvement
follow, another antipsoric  to be given in the
same way.   I  do not mention any one in
particular, because there is a great danger in
prescribing a remedy  from a few isolated
symptoms.  The remedy must be  chosen ac-
cording to  the  symptoms of the case,  and
with the greatest care and exactitude, for it
is not the size of the dose, nor its repetition,
nor a succession of remedies, which  will be
of use in cataract, any more  than in other
chronic cases;  it is the right choice of the
remedy, of which one single globule will then
do much more than many  doses of ill-chosen
remedies.  It is not possible to say, that in
this  or that  species of cataract, this or  that
remedy will cure.  The tout ensemble of the 
36
DISEASES OF
symptoms  must  always decide us  in  the
choice of the remedy, and  in all  cases, no
second remedy is to be given before the first
has exhausted its action."
  Amaurosis  is   a  disease,  which involves
either a deficiency, or total destruction, of the
sense of vision, when the pupil is immovable,
whilst those organs which serve to break the
rays of light are  in their normal state, but in
process  of time, they too undergo  a certain
change.
  This disease consists in a paralysis of the
optic nerve, or the retina.   In many cases,
however, it is owing to an organic defect of
those organs or of the brain. It appears in
various forms, idiopathic, symptomatic, sym-
pathetic, hereditary, and congenital.
  The  causes to which this malady may
be traced are manifold, direct and indirect.
  They are, very prostrating diseases, which
exhaust, and  diminish, the  activity of the
whole nervous system, and that of the optic
nerve in particular, such as: obstinate  in-
termittent  fever,  typhus,  exanthematous
fevers,  gout  and rheumatism,  suppressed
exanthemata, itch,  syphilis,  suppressed,
bloody, or  mucous discharges, such as hae-
morrhoids, menstruation, lochia, gonorrhoea,
excessive hemorrhages,  excess  in venery,
abuse of the lancet and calomel, suppressed
secretions of the skin, diseases of  the liver, 
THE  EYE.
37
ascarides, stone in the bladder and kidney,
diseases  of the  nervous system, epilepsy,
hypochondria, hysteria, apoplexy, injuries to
the head, frequent cupping, etc., etc., finally
a thickening and ossification of the retina, and
atrophy of the optic nerve.
  Besides these causes, some of the narcotics
can thus weaken the powers of vision as to
lead to amaurosis, for instance, Bell., Stram.,
Opium, Laurocerasus, Hyosc.
  Amaurosis  makes  its  appearance either
suddenly, or is announced by certain symp-
toms, which are of the greatest consequence
with reference to diagnosis and  treatment.
That  form of the disease, which is charac-
terized by an absence of receptibility, (am-
aurosis torpida,) is ushered in by a feeling of
tension, fixedness, and dryness of the eye, ac-
companied by a dryness of the nose, particu-
larly on the affected  side;  as the vision  be-
gins to be impaired, it seems to the patient as
if everything was hidden in a deep mist, even
the lighter colors appear dark, and everything
diminished in size.   After a hearty meal, or
indulgence in strong drinks, or a  dance,  the
patient sees better than after keeping quiet.
This change is perceptible, likewise, on-rising
in the morning ;  but in a short time, the sight
becomes dim, and towards evening, the pa-
tient is hardly able to keep the eyes open, but
experiences no pain.   The pupil  is dilated, 
38             DISEASES OF
the iris insensible to strong light, and immov-
able, the eye seems dead.
  If the amaurosis is caused by a want of, or
imperfect re-action of  the  vascular system,
and if it has more  the irritable character,
(amaurosis erethistica,)  we notice just the re-
verse of these phenomena.   The eye is very
sensitive to light, and  the patient can see
only at dusk, or when the light is very  feeble,
all objects appear to be colored at their edges,
all the colors brighter, and white things very
brilliant.  Although, perhaps, unable  to dis-
tinguish objects, the patient may perceive a
white glimmer, which sometimes passes into
a glaring glow; much light is always intoler-
able.   Frequently, sparks, flames,  or  light-
ning, seem to pass before the eye.  In this
form of the disease, the patient sees worst  in
the morning.  The eyes are moist, even  to
tears,  the mucous secretion in  the nose  is
abundant, the eyelids are bloated,  and very
sensitive, the muscles of the eye very restless,
the pupil contracted, at times movable,  at
others distorted, and contracting in an irregu-
lar manner.
  In both forms of amaurosis, it is well  to
watch closely the changes in the total organ-
ism.
  When the disease is fully developed, the
impression to light is totally lost, and the eyes
roll about involuntarily in all directions,  so 
THE  EYE.
39
that  the  patient has often the appearance
of squinting.   When it  has arrived at this
point, an  error in the diagnosis is almost im-
possible.
  This complaint generally attacks both eyes,
and though but one is at first the actual seat
of it,  the  other does not  escape entirely, but
soon  becomes involved.
  Prognosis unfavorable. Amaurosis which
has appeared suddenly, is, in general, more
easily cured than that,  which  has come on
gradually, because the latter originates in a
constitutional derangement.  If we can suc-
ceed in tracing the nature and character  of
this, we may occasionally hope to restore the
eye, though much depends  on implicit obe-
dience to  our  directions, on the part  of the
patient.
  Treatment.—In Amaurosis incipiens, the
following  are the  most  valuable  reme-
dies :—
  Acid, sulph., dimness  of sight, owing  to
latent psora,  frequent burning, or burning
pressure, particularly after exertion, such  as
protracted reading, whilst  the  eyelids are
stuck together early in the morning, and can
be opened with difficulty only.  A marked
criterion for the administration of this remedy
is to be found  in a serious, fretful state of the
mind, dryness  of the nose, suppression of hae-
morrhoids or  leucorrhoea, emaciation.   Be- 
40
DISEASES OF
sides this, when dryness and want of  gloss
are apparent in the eye.
  Ambra is indicated, in gradual loss of vis-
ion, making all things appear in a fog, aching
in the eyeballs as if from dust, and also burn-
ing, frequent lachrymation, and heaviness or
itching in the eyelids.  A more certain indica-
tion for  this  remedy is, when the  patient of
nervous temperament shows a degree of in-
difference, and loss of memory, aching pains
in the forehead, and suffers with dryness and
obstruction of the nose.  It is especially valu-
able for nervous and irritable people.
  Cannabis  suits those cases, in which be-
sides great weakness  of the eyes, and dimi-
nished vision, the eye appears  less animated,
duller,  the  patient imagines  to see  white
lightning-prongs in a circle, and has a draw-
ing sensation in the eyeball, together with a
feeling at the back of the eyeball, as if the
latter were being pushed out, congestion to
the head, and compressing pains in the fore-
head.  Anxiety, indecision, showing itself by
acts, angry  disposition, great  inclination to
sleep  by day-time, dryness and sensation of
heat in the nose, as in a dry catarrh, may be
present.
   Drosera is required, when the  sense of
vision, particularly after motion, is so dimi-
nished, that a veil seems to be thrown over
the eyes, with a sparking and glittering un- 
THE  EYE.
41
wards, and to the sides, the  eyelids stick to-
gether, and particularly if touched, feel pain-
fully sore, the eyeballs are  troubled with a
burning  and  darting  sensation  outwards.
Suspicious and ill-humored  state, alternating
with a depression  of spirits, tearing tension
or cutting, darting pains in the forehead, ag-
gravated by stooping,  difficulty of hearing,
frequent sneezing without much secretion of
mucus, may be present.
  Helleborus is indicated by increased sensi-
bility of the eye to the rays of daylight, at-
tended with a feeling of  heaviness, as if the
eyelids were pressed down from above.  Me-
lancholy state, and the powers of the mind
enfeebled ; one-sided, tearing pains towards
the forehead, accompanied by chills ; or  ach-
ing, dragging pain from the back towards the
front of the head, dryness of the nose,  and
powerful inclination to  sneeze, point very de-
cidedly towards this  remedy.
  Plumbum acet. is to be given, when during
gradually-diminishing  powers of vision, a
constant fog seems  to be  before  the eyes,
acrid tears, and burning and prickling in the
eyeballs, tearing pains  in  the  forehead  and
temples,  sometimes  darting.  Anxious de-
pression of spirits, being tired of life, coryza,
difficulty of hearing.
  Rhus is in place, when, in consequence of
diseases of the skin, gout, and rheumatism, a 
42
DISEASES OF
metastasis has taken place, and amaurosis be-
gins to be formed, if a veil seems to be before
the eyes, and there are present aching and com-
pressing pains in the eyeball, and a feeling
of dryness, or a paralytic heaviness and diffi-
culty of motion in the eyelids ; if the latter
readily stick together, and appear to swell;
if, besides  irritability of the mind and timi-
dity, we find the power of thinking impaired,
vertigo, particularly on motion,' and a feeling
of heaviness in the forehead, complicated
with tearing in  it,  and if there  is violent,
spasmodic  sneezing, with copious  flow of
mucus from the  nose, particularly in  the
morning, and the menstruation and haemor-
rhoids are uninterrupted.
  Sulphur, when sometimes white, at others
black specks, seem to  float before the eyes,
or the flame of a candle seems to  be sur-
rounded by a  red  ring ; at the same time, a
feeling of dryness, heat, and pressure  in the
eyes, and some sensitiveness  to  light, timid
uneasiness  and sadness, dry catarrh, and hae-
morrhoids.   Particularly indicated, when, in
addition to the above symptoms, latent psora
be present.
   So much for the treatment of incipient
amaurosis.  That this form is curable, and has
been cured by homoeopathic means, we have
some unimpeachable testimony to prove, but
we cannot say the same  with reference to 
THE  EYE.
43
the amaurosis erethistica, and amaurosis tor-
pida.   Upon a careful comparison of symp-
toms, we recommend in—
  Amaurosis erethistica:  Angust., Caust,
Clem., Ac. nit., Aeon., Amm., Bell., Camph.,
Euphr., etc.
  Amaurosis torpida :  Ac.  phos., Agaricus,
Alum., Amm.,  Anac, Aur., Calc, Cicuta,
Caps., Coca, Dig., etc.
  Glaucoma is an opacity of the vitreous hu-
mor, of the eye, together with a paralysis of
the retina, and more or less complete loss of
vision.  This complaint frequently succeeds
to ophthalmia, and generally appears on one
eye only.   It develops itself at times without
pain,  at others  accompanied by a  trouble-
some  sensation in the whole eyeball, and the
neighboring parts, headache, etc.   The  pa-
tient first perceives a mist, which occasion-
ally disappears, and then again assumes the
appearance of much dust flying  about  the
room.  The flame of a candle  seems to be
covered with a  light cloud, which  forms a
kind of steam, edged by colors of the rainbow.
The  power of vision is  slight, and finally
disappears  altogether.  To  many patients,
before they become quite blind, all objects
appear  smaller than they really are.  The
iris is rather contracted than dilated, the pu-
pil  irregularly-shaped and elongated.  The
eye loses its brilliancy, and becomes dull, as 
44
DISEASES OF
after death.  At  the height of the disease,
the  eyeball  becomes  smaller,  soft, atro-
phied,  or  the pains diminish, or cease alto-
gether.
  The aetiology of this disease  is very ob-
scure,  but appears to  be nearly the same
as that of amaurosis, and  frequently owing
to metastasis of gout, exanthemata, etc.
  If in an advanced stage, its cure is impos-
sible, and but seldom can any benefit accrue
from treatment  in the commencement even.
The germ of this disease is too deeply seated
in the organism to be readily reached, and if
certain changes have once taken place in the
vitreous humor, all skill is baffled. If we are
consulted at an  early  stage, however,  we
should leave nothing untried.   A judicious
diet, regulated by the constitution of the pa-
tient, frequent, but moderate exercise in  the
open air,  relaxation and amusement of the
mind, etc.   The most  appropriate remedies
appear to be,  China,  Caps., Puis.,  Caust.,
Phosph., Rhus., Mezereum, Merc, Sulph.
   Erysipelatous inf animation of the eyelids
usually occurs  on one eye only, but occa-
sionally on both.   In the first  stage it may
readily be removed  in two or  three days,
whereas it takes a much  longer time in the
second stage.   This complaint begins with a
pale  yellowish-red, apparently  transparent,
glossy swelling,  commencing  generally on 
THE  EYE.             45
the inner  edges of the eyelids, and rapidly
spreading  upwards, outwards, and  down-
ward, all  the while increasing  in redness.
The pain is trifling, rather  burning,  and
tense.  The mucous secretion of the eye and
nose are  increased considerably.   It  is usu-
ally attended with much fever.
  At this period  a few doses of Aeon, given
at twelve hours'  intervals, will in most cases
remove the complaint.  If the pain is more
of an aching, than of a  burning character,
Hepar. sulph. is  indicated.
  In the second stage, marked by an increase
of the redness and swelling, and a great diffi-
culty of separating the eyelids, because  the
upper overlaps the lower  ; also by an exuda-
tion between the lids of  a purulent  lymph,
Aeon, should be commenced with, for the pur-
pose of allaying the violence of the inflamma-
tion, but as soon as we have succeeded in this,
we must have recourse to Sulph. in the 12th
attenuation, without which the disease can-
not be cut short.   Should the Sulphur act too
powerfully, and cause a medicinal exacerba-
tion by increasing the pain and inflamma-
tion, one dose of  Aeon,  should  be given as
an antidote to the Sulphur.
   Inflammation  of the meibomian glands.—
If only one  of them is inflamed, we  call  the
disease  a " stye in the eye."
   This inflammation may be shortened by a
                    5 
46
DISEASES OF
single dose of Puis., which, to guard against
a relapse, may be repeated at  long intervals.
If it should occur  frequently, especially  in
scrofulous individuals, attended with a stop-
page of the secretion from thejiose, and red-
ness  and swelling of the eyelids, Aurum  is
the  specific, according to  manifold experi-
ence.  If the frequent recurrence of this so-
called " stye" should have given rise to in-
durations in the edges of the  lids, and to in-
durated glands, which may have the tenden-
cy to inflame anew ;  but where this inflam-
mation remains subacute, allowing the edges
to glue together during  the night, then  Sta-
physagria will be found to be a very valua-
ble remedy.  But  should this  fail in accom-
plishing  the desired object, Silicea will be
most appropriate.
  If the inflammation attacks several meibo-
mian glands at the same time, it gives rise to
evident redness, itching,  and burning in the
edges of the eyelid.   This complaint is rare-
ly isolated,  but  generally complicated with
dyscrasia and latent psora, and is consequent-
ly more tedious than  many other diseases of
the eye,  because it usually terminates  in a
chronic inflammation, and a purulent inflam-
mation of the eyelids, constantly discharging
pus, which glues the eyelids together at night.
During the day the parts itch, and induce  rub-
bing.  In this case there is no actual inflam-
mation,  but a subacute  state.  An excellent 
THE  EYE.
47
remedy for it  is  Euphrasia, especially  if
much  aversion to  light and frequent violent
headaches  are  present, but  it is valuable
without these symptoms.   This remedy will,
however,  not  accomplish the  cure by itself,
but requires the assistance of Clematis, Spi-
gelia, and Digitalis, and if there  is  a spas-
modic contraction of the eyelids, Hyosciamus.
                 CASES.

          Ophthalmia catarrhalis.
   Case 1.—A  girl, of 20, having a strong,
robust constitution, of brunette complexion,
and tall figure, who had always menstruated
regularly, had been suffering for three months
with an  inflammation of both eyes, particu-
larly of the right, for which  she had  been
trying various  collyria,  and likewise purga-
tives, both under the direction of a surgeon,
but without much result, and with but little
temporary relief.
   When  the  patient placed herself under
my charge, I found her case to be  as follows:
the conjunctiva of both eyes,  but particu-
larly the  right, was  reddened by ecchymo-
sis, constant lachry mation, and a discharge 
48
DISEASES of
of a  watery,  acrid  secretion; aversion to
light, and considerable aching and cutting
pains in the eyes, which extended into the
orbits, where they became boring and gnaw-
ing.   On the lower half of the cornea of the
right eye three ulcers of the size of the head
of a pin each.   I ordered—
          R. Euphrasia,  1 gtt. j.
             Sacch. lact., gr. xv.
       M. exact, div. in iii. part. aeq.
      D.S. One every second morning.
  E xternally I prescribed—
          R. Tinct. Euphras., gtt. iij.
             Aq. destill.,  I  iij.
       M.D.S.  Collyrium.
  Result.  Three days after I observed a con-
siderable exacerbation, obliging the patient
to remain in bed, and in a dark chamber on
that,  and the following day, at the same
time the pain in the head, and in the eyes in-
creased to an almost insupportable degree.
But from that time her condition improved;
so much  so, that in a week after  she called
upon me, when I  found that  all inflamma-
tion had left the eye, and that the three ulcers
on the cornea had likewise disappeared  ; and
not a trace was left of redness, pain, lachry-
mation, or aversion to light.  Six weeks after
this  I saw the patient,  and  found the cure
permanent.
   Case 2.—A girl of 15, weakly, thin, and 
THE  EYE.
49
of a scrofulous habit, and menstruating six
months, was seized  in  the  commencement
of June, with an inflammation of both eyes.
For twelve days  nothing was done, then I
was sent for, and found the inside of the eye-
lids reddened and swollen; in the conjunctiva
of the eyeball many vascular bundles converg-
ing towards the cornea, below these an equal-
ly-diffused intense redness of the sclerotica  ;
on the cornea of both eyes several pustules;
the iris and pupil in their normal state.  Also
increased mucous and lachrymal  secretion,
great aversion to light, and pricking pains in
the  eyes, forehead  and temples,  increased
towards evening  and  midnight; appetite,
evacuations of the bowels, and other func-
tions normal.  In former years she had been
afflicted  with chaff; never  had  the  itch.
Menstruation  returns   every  three weeks
sparingly.   Puis, every second day restored
the eyes to  their healthy condition in about
ten days.
          Ophthalmia scrophulosa.
  Case  3.—A scrofulous,  weakly,  light-
haired girl  of 6, born  of a  hectic mother,
who, soon after giving birth to  the child, died
of consumption,  was  attacked, when  only
two years of age, with a scrofulous ophthal-
mia, which lasted several months.  Subse-
quently  she  frequently suffered  with ca-
                      5* 
50
DISEASES OF
tarrh  in the  head, swelling of the  salivary
glands,  and  constipation.  On the  27th of
April, when  I first saw  her,  I  found the
conjunctiva  palpebrarum   and  sclerotica
highly inflamed, the eyelids of both eyes very
much swollen, the  edges tumid,  also in-
flamed and corroded in  several parts of the
skin.  At the  same time there existed great
aversion to light, on which account she con-
stantly  remained  in a darkened room, and
selected in this the darkest places she could
find, even then lying mostly  on her  face.
She complained of severe pressure and burn-
ing in the eyes,  from which exuded a wa-
tery secretion, which, under the lower eye-
lids, had  corroded  the  skin, and also par-
tially brought on a rash.  The alae of the
nose, and  the septum narium were  likewise
swollen, and from the nose proceeded a fre-
quent discharge of thick, yellow mucus. The
salivary glands were enlarged to the size of
a pigeon's egg.  The  girl  herself looked
sickly  and pale,  and was but poorly  fed.
She was suffering-  constantly  either  with
constipation or diarrhoea.  Abdomen bloat-
ed  and hard.  Very  little   appetite.   She
preferred bread, potatoes, beans and peas to
other food.  In this state the patient had re-
mained for six months already ; and nothing
had been done for her relief, excepting occa-
sionally  giving  her a  cathartic,  and so-
called '"' blood-cleansing tea." 
THE  EYE.
51
  I ordered from week to week three times,
tinct. sulph., 12, gtt. j., which somewhat modi-
fied the pressure and burning, and secretion
from the  eyes and nose.  She then received
for a constipation of several days Nux,  18,
gtt. j., which opened her bowels.  Two days
after, I gave against the aversion  to light,
Bell., 30, gtt. ss., repeating it in four days, and
so far succeeded as to make her lie less on the
face.  The Bell, had also again diminished
the inflammation and secretion from the eyes.
The enlargement of the glands remained un-
altered. I repeated the Bell, twice, but with-
out effect on  her  general condition, which
certainly disappointed  me,  because at  the
commencement it  acted so  admirably, and
antipsoric qualities had been ascribed to it
by some  practitioners.  I substituted Lycop.,
30, which I repeated every week, and at the
expiration of five weeks a considerable  im-
provement of all the symptoms had taken
place.  The inflammation had decreased one-
half, the  secretion from the  eyes was nearly
gone, and the escape of mucus from the nose
was greatly diminished.  She  laid  now on
the face  in the mornings only, and but for a
short time; the eruption healed, the glands
became soft, and the patient felt on the whole
much better.
   Under such  favorable  auspices for a
speedy cure, I gave Lycop. twice more, and 
52
DISEASES OF
so far restored the patient, that the inflamma-
tion  had  totally disappeared,  excepting a
little on the corners and inner surface of the
eyelids, the  edges  of which appeared  cor-
roded  in a few places only ;  the aversion to
light which remained, was  trifling,  yet the
patient could not move about without some
slight screen.  The nose only  remained a
little swollen, and still secreted an increased
quantity of mucus, and the glands were yet
enlarged as< before.
   She  received now Calc. carb.,  30, gtt. ij.,
one  dose every  fortnight, which completely
restored the eyes in three weeks, and conti-
nuing this remedy four weeks longer, brought
on a resolution of the glands.  The  patient
felt.so well, that  a fortnight after she went to
school  again.
  Case 4.—A girl of 11, belonging to a fa-
mily in which the  daughters are very much
troubled with scrofulous  affections until pu-
berty,  after which the evil shows itself less
frequently ; yet  they  can  never be  called
quite well.  Such  was her  case.  She  suf-
fered a great deal with  enlarged glands of
the neck, a swollen lip, or scabbed nostrils,
to which in her  11th  year  an inflammation
of the eyes was superadded.  I  was con-
sulted in  April, and found the case as fol-
lows :—the child  is  frequently  cross  and
self-willed, the white  of  the  right eye  red- 
THE  EYE.
53
dened, many little veins appear dilated, she
experiences heifc and burning in the eye, the
eyelids are  swollen and  reddened, the mei-
bomian glands secrete a great deal of mucus,
so as to  glue the lips  together during the
night to such  a degree, that they cannot be
separated  without  being  sponged.   Great
aversion  to light, she cannot remain in any
room  without an eye-shade, and likes  to sit
in dark corners.   She cannot read or sew.
The nose is frequently  much swollen, the
nostrils full of scabs or scurf, which extended
down  to the upper lip.   The latter is like-
wise greatly swollen,  but without  hardness.
Sometimes  the glands of the neck are en-
larged.  All  other functions in  a normal
state.  Her diet was well regulated, requir-
ing no change on my part.
   Seeing  that the case  originated in psora,
I resorted  at once to Sulphur, and with the
assistance of Graph., Lycopodium, and Mag-
nesia (which latter removed rapidly and tho-
roughly a commencing opacity of the cornea,)
cured  the case in a few months.
   Case 5.—A child, two years old, of a scro-
fulous habit, had had for eight weeks an in-
flammation of the left eye, with great aver-
sion to light,  gluing together of the eyelids,
acrid lachrymation, corrosion and pimples on
the face, and  an eruption behind  one ear of
a  moist, scurfy character.  A judicious diet, 
54             DISEASES OF
and  a tea of hb. viol, tricolor, had done no
good.  I administered CalcjV., and repeat-
ed the dose five days after.  After two more
doses of the same, the ophthalmia and erup-
tion  in the face  and behind the ear totally
disappeared.
  Case 6.—Photophobia scrophulosa.~—A girl,
four years of age, of a scrofulous habit,  had
not been  tible for four weeks  past to open
the eyelids, which  were  red and swollen.
To avoid all light,  she would lie constantly
on her face, and opposed  every effort made
to raise her head.  Between the eyelids ex-
uded  an acrid secretion, which caused excori-
ations on the cheeks.  The upper lip swollen
and covered with a scab.  For a fortnight
she had been treated by an allopathic prac-
titioner with  antispasmodic and anodyne
ointments, with collyria, counter-irritants,
and  purgatives,  but  without  the  slightest
benefit.  On the 3d of April, in the evening,
I gave Calc. 6,  and next morning  she was
able  to open her eyes.  This remedy I re-
peated four times, once in every three days,
and  perfectly restored  the  eyes  to  their
healthy state.  ,
   Case  7.—Photophobia   scrophulosa.—A
child, aet. 2, had been suffering for a fort-
night with spasmodic  closing of swollen, and
reddened eyelids.  Six  days  of allopathic
treatment had done no good, whereas with- 
THE  EYE
55
in sixteen hours after taking Calc. IV., the
eyelids opened, and on the following day the
intolerance of light had quite disappeared.
   Case 8.—A girl, aet. 10^, had been afflict-
ed from earliest childhood with swelled, and
painful, submaxillary glands and other symp-
toms indicating a  scrofulous diathesis, such
as  pale bloated face, and  considerably-dis-
tended abdomen, etc.  In  the  beginning of
May this child  was seized with a scrofulous
ophthalmia, which  was soon followed by a
considerable opacity of the left  eye.  The
parents of the  child consulted  several phy-
sicians, and  amongst them a  man of high
repute as oculist,but the complaint increased,
—in spite of the most assiduous attention and
conscientious treatment, leeches, purges, de-
rivatives, collyria of every  kind, diet, etc.—
to such a height, that after four months of al-
lopathic treatment, the child was in a most
wretched state.   On the 2d  of September she
was placed  under my charge.  The follow-
ing was my record of the case :—
   The left eye • but little inflamed, but the
cornea obscured and dirty looking, the pupil
visibly elongated, vision very much impaired,
she saw everything as if  through a  thick
fog, the edges not being clearly defined.
  The right eye was inflamed to the highest
degree,  eyelids swollen, red,  sore :  acrid,
thin pus corroding the cheeks, and frequent 
56            DISEASES OF
lachrymation exuded from the corners of the
eye.   Extreme  intolerance  of light,  the
smallest ray  increased the pain in the  eye-
ball, which was very violent, burning, dart-
ing, boring, and frequently  extending  into
the  orbit;  the  eyelids were  firmly  closed,
frequently glued together, painfully burning
and itching.  She was obliged to have  both
eyes constantly well shaded  from the light.
When, for a moment during twilight, opening
her  eyes with  a great effort, she declared
that she could not see anything, and that all
objects seemed mingled  and chaotic, or like
dark clouds.  I managed to look in for an
instant, and discovered the whole inner  eye
red, and injected (ecchymosis), and the cornea
covered with ulcers and patches, the charac-
ter of which I could not discover, owing to
the necessarily brief examination on  account
of  the extreme intolerance of light.  This
ophthalmia was accompanied by general con-
stitutional  derangement.   The body   was
emaciated, the face bloated,  pale, appetite
impaired, bowels irregular,  sometimes hard,
at  others liquid stools, urine whitish,  sleep
very uneasy, interrupted and full of dreams,
glands  very much  enlarged  and  painful,
mind depressed, fretful,  and  out of humor.
   In this state, which had daily been grow-
ing worse, the child  had been for some time.
when she was brought to me. 
THE EYE.
57
   Treatment. The first  indication  appeared
to me to be the necessity of controlling the
violence of the  inflammation, and if possible
thus arrest the progress of organic destruc-
tion.  I  wavered between  Aeon, and Bell.,
but determined in  favor  of the  latter,  of
which I gave  on the 2d of September the
30th potence.   On the  4th of September the
violence of the pain in the eyeball, and the
intolerance of light had somewhat abated,
enabling her to open the eye at twilight with
less difficulty.  The albuginea appeared to
me on inspection to be less inflamed, the cor-
nea opaque and in a great measure destroyed;
the patient assured me that she could hardly
see at all.   Bell, being evidently properly se-
lected, I allowed the same dose to act till the
9th of September, when the case appeared
as  follows :—The  intolerance  of  light  has
decreased still  more, and the same with the
pains in the eyeball.   The  eyelids are  yet
very much inflamed, but not so  much as be-
fore, and  less painful; secretion of pus less,
and more healthy.  In the twilight she could
keep  the  eyelids somewhat longer  open,
which afforded me the opportunity to make
a more thorough examination.  I found  the
albuginea still  very  red, the cornea here and
there covered with little ulcers, along which
inflamed vessels in  bundles were spreading
towards the albuginea.  On  the lower bor-
                    6 
58
DISEASES OF
der  of the cornea I  discovered  a dark red,
elevated  spot, which turned  out to  be  a
fungus haematodes, emanating from the cor-
nea, extending to the iris, and filling nearly
the whole lower half of the anterior cham-
ber.
  The state of the left eye  had remained
unchanged,  the cornea very opaque,  dirty,
spotted, power of vision weak.
  That my prognosis could not be otherwise
than  unfavorable,  is  clear.   The fungus
haemat. threatened to destroy  the whole eye.
Experience  has taught us  how little benefit
is derived in such cases from the best opera-
tions or extirpations of the eye.  At the foun-
dation of  this ophthalmia laid a deep-rooted
disease,  and to this the chief attention of the
physician should be directed, by  resorting to
the antipsoric treatment.
  Bell, had undoubtedly taken a great deal
from the  acutcness of this inflammation, and
had  thus  acted favorably.   The  group of
symptoms clearly pointed to Calc. curb.  On
the 9th of September,  after Bell, had  been
acting seven days, I gave her a few pellets of
Calc. carb. 12th.  This was followed by me-
dicinal exacerbation; the pain in the eyelids
increased, so did the acrid secretion  and the
intolerance of light; the pain in the eyeball
likewise became acute,  and  the glands  en-
larged ; she became out of  humor, and trou- 
THE  EYE.
59
 blesome  itching  of  the skin supervened
 (This, by the way, is a very common symp-
 tom  brought on by  the use of antipsorics,
 and rather a favorable one.)  This medicinal
 aggravation lasted four  days, and was  suc-
 ceeded by  improvement ; the  eyelids  lost
 much of their redness,  inflammation  and
 soreness; the discharge of pus  decreased,
 and assumed a better character, the intoler-
 ance of light diminished.   Her general health
 continued to improve,  the glands  became
 less painful, softer, and smaller; the face, hi-
 therto bloated and pale, assumed a fresher
 appearance ; the bowels  became more regu-
 lar, the abdomen  less hard, the state of her
 mind more cheerful.
   I continued to give Calc. carb. until the
 16th  of October, thus for thirty-seven days,
 during which all  the symptoms were daily
 improving,  and on that  day her  case stood
 thus:—
   Left eye.  The  opacity and dirty  appear-
 ance  of the  cornea  materially diminished,
 the cornea  more  transparent,  the spots less
 crowded and smaller; can see a little better.
   Right eye.  The eyelids but very little in-
 flamed, less red, less sore, only a slight itch-
 ing pain.   The exudation of pus very much
diminished, no longer acrid, but still frequent
lachrymation.  At  night  the  eyelids stick
iess together.  She can open them in a mo- 
60
DISEASES OF
derate  light, and  keep them open  a longer
time.   The general inflammatory redness of
the eyeball has almost totally disappeared,
the ulcers have become smaller and cleaner,
the inflamed vascular bundles arising from
those  ulcers are  very much diminished, the
spots clearer and  smaller.   The fungus and
the previously dark red spot  at the base of
the cornea much paler, evidently circum-
scribed ;  the pains, hitherto so violently dart-
ing and boring in the eye, are much lessened,
the intolerance of light slight; she can even
endure daylight if  it be  not too glaring,
power of vision improved ; she can distin-
guish objects now pretty well, which hither-
to have seemed enveloped in  darkness.
   Her general health was likewise materi-
ally improved in all respects.
   I now gave Lycopod. 12.   On the 15th of
November all  redness had disappeared from
the eyelids; there was no abnormal  secre-
tion or  pain, the eyeball had resumed its
normal condition, excepting in regard to the
fungus, and the spots were but few ; slightly
inflamed  vessels could be observed  on  the
cornea and albuginea ; the spots were much
thinner and clearer, the ulcers on  the cornea
gone,  almost  without leaving a  trace, the
pain  in  the eyeball and the intolerance of
light  very trifling; sight  much  better,  so
much so that she could distinguish even small 
THE  EYE.
61
objects.  The fungus  was now  only pale-
red, and evidently arrested in its progress,
though plainly perceptible as a foreign body,
intruding on the  anterior chamber.  The
child  improved  generally, became  more
cheerful  and  even blooming—a  sure  sign
that with an  improvement of the constitu-
tional state, that is to say,—a cure of  the
fundamental disease,—the ophthalmia  was
progressing towards  its  favorable termina-
tion.
   Under these  circumstances  I determined
to  rely on Lycopodium until the 10th of
December, and by that time found a marked
and steady  improvement.  I  now began to
indulge a hope that the fungus would vanish
entirely in consequence of a total  extinction
of the internal psoric disease by a  prolonged
use of antipsoric remedies.  Accordingly, I
gave Sepia x. which fully answered my ex-
pectations,  by totally  removing all traces of
inflammation  from  the  eyeball  and  lids.
The opacity of the cornea, and the spots be-
came materially diminished,  the  power  of
vision  greatly increased,  and the fungus ap-
peared not  only much  smaller,  but quite
pale.   Thus I went on, giving Silicea next,
and  resorted  finally  to  the first remedy,
Calcarea.
  In the middle  of June the patient was dis-
charged as cured,  and in perfect health,  ex-
                     6* 
62
DISEASES OF
cepting a slightly-dimmed part at the base of
the cornea,  noways  interfering  with the
power of vision.—Dr. E. Stapf.
  Case  9.—A girl of 17 had been afflicted
from  infancy with  a scrofulous ophthalmia,
which had  defied all remedies.   The edges
of the eyelids were thick, swollen, and ulcer-
ated, the cornea had spots on it, the  sight was
so impaired, that small objects could not  be
seen by  her at all,  and  those  which  were
larger appeared to  be enveloped  in smoke
andfog.  Her general health was considerably
affected.  I gave her Tine, sulph. 30, twice a
week.   After the eighth dose I noticed a de-
cided aggravation,  which  induced me  to
stop  the  remedy.  New  symptoms  now
made their  appearance:  eruptions resem-
bling  smallpox, warts, freckles, pustules  on
various  parts  of the body, pains, restless
sleep, etc.  This state continued a week after
I had stopped the  remedy, then she im-
proved ;  the  above  new  symptoms disap-
peared first, and the original complaint next,
and in  six  weeks she  was discharged  as
cured.  She remained well.
  Case  10.—A girl of 12 had always been
delicate, but the parents do not remember
her having had the itch, or other eruptive
diseases during infancy.   In her second year
she was afflicted with tearing pains in her
ears, which  were treated  with embrocations 
THE  EYE.
63
of tartar emetic ointment.   The pains in the
ears ceased  upon this,  but the edges of the
eyelids  began to swell, and  a thick  scab
to form upon them.   This has sometimes
fallen off,  but  soon  been formed again, and
thus she has been going on ever since, af-
flicted with  this chronic inflammation.  Va-
rious collyria  had been the only remedies
thus far  used;  but all  in vain.   On  the
30th  of  February I  took charge of  her
with  the  following  symptoms:  frequent
blinking,  the  edges of  the  eyelids  swol-
len and inflamed, sticking together during
the  night;  smarting in  the eyes  and la-
chrymation, the conjunctiva of the eye af-
fected,  contracted pupils,  sensitiveness  to
light, frequent buzzing sounds in the  ears,
and eruption  behind them, scabs under the
nose, somewhat obstructed deglutition,  as if
the pharynx were narrowed, dryness in the
mouth, enlarged glands on both sides of the
neck, frequent tenesmus, solid stools but not
daily, uneasy  sleep, particularly before mid-
night, disinclination to work or move about,
peevishness.
  All these  symptoms clearly indicated Bell.
which  I gave  February 21. ' In three weeks
there was already a manifest improvement;
the blinking had ceased,  the eyeballs were
less inflamed,  the  sensitiveness to light al-
most entirely  removed,  deglutition natural, 
64
DISEASES OF
 glands softer, though not diminished in size,
 sleep more quiet and less  peevishness.   All
 the other symptoms had remained the same.
   On the 15th of March  I ordered  Baryta
 acet. 3d, one grain and a half at a dose, which
 I allowed to act five weeks, when  I found
 the case to stand thus :—the eruption behind
 the ear, and the scab  under the nose were
 gone, the glands on the  neck had grown one-
 half smaller, dryness in the mouth  had dis-
 appeared, but the eyelids were still inflamed,
 and  the bowels did not move daily, though
 the desire to do so was  frequent.
  On the 18th of April I gave Sulph. 3d, two
 grains and a half,  which completely removed
 the remaining symptoms, and enabled me to
 discharge the patient as entirely cured  four
 weeks after.

         Ophthalmia arthritica.
  Case  11. —A  man  of  63,   subject  to
 haemorrhoids, had caught cold and suffered
 with a  severe inflammation  of the  eyes  in
consequence, one  of which was thereby ren-
dered quite blind.   The cornea was obscured
and perforated, the iris prolapsed  and ad-
hering to the inner surface of the  cornea, in-
 flammation of the ball of the eye, and violent
darting pains in the eye and  temple,  aggra-
vated by motion  and exposure  to  the fresh
air.  Several  allopathic means had failed. 
THE  EYE.
65
The pains which he suffered induced the pa-
tient  to  apply to me on the 25th of July.
He complained besides of sensations of tear-
ing in the limbs, obstinate constipation, pains
in the sacrum and itching in the anus.   His
diet was well regulated.   I gave him Nux
vom. one dose every evening at bed-time. A
week after he called, and told  me that  the
pains had abated after the  first powder,  and
that his bowels were now regular.
   Case 12.—A gentleman, who was sud-
denly  seized with a violent inflammation of
the eyes, consulted a surgeon, who applied
leeches, and pursued the usual antiphlogistic
treatment.    The disease baffled all his skill
however, and the patient  put  himself  into
the hands of a celebrated oculist in a neigh-
boring place.  He remained  with him four
weeks without any benefit, and then tried
another,  who after a time was also dismiss-
ed.  Meanwhile, the siuht of one  eye was
totally gone, and  its organization destroyed.
He then came to me.   I found all the symp-
toms  of arthritic ophthalmia.  Besides this,
an almost constant, sharp headache, which
had existed already before  the full develop-
ment of  the  ophthalmia;  burning, cutting
pains in  the  right eye, which was  still  un-
destroyed,  congestion to the head, and  a pro-
fuse  discharge of an acrid secretion  from
both eyes.   These  symptoms of the  head 
66
DISEASES OF
evidently had a common  origin wih  the
ophthalmia, and having  previously  cured
headache of this nature with tine, of Colo-
cynth, I prescribed this remedy :  two drops
of the tincture in a little water every three
hours  internally; and externally, an  Empl.
citrin.  with tartar emetic on the back of the
neck.  Before the latter  had had  time to
raise pustules, the fearful headache was gone,
and the pains in the eye had also materially
decreased.   I reduced the  dose  to one drop,
and  after continuing the medicine for a week
longer, I had conquered  the disease.  The
inflammation vanished, and I had saved the
sight  of the right  eye.    The  patient has
continued well  since.  The allopathic pro-
verb,  cessant causa, cessat effectus,  which
the ardent Hahnemannists regard too little,
has proved true in this case ; and it is very
fortunate, that  in our ranks the  number of
those  who duly consider  the connection be-
tween symptoms and causes  is  on the in-
crease.
           Ophthalmia metastatica.
   Case 13.—A young man of 18,  poorly
nourished,  middling size,  and of leucophleg-
matic  appearance,  had had,  two  months
since,  two large ulcers  (no  doubt caused
by suppressed  itch)  on  his  nates,  which
were  very  rapidly  cured;   but   shortly 
THE EYE.
67
after he was seized with a violent inflamma-
tion of the right eye, which a surgeon treated
antiphlogistically and by derivatives,  and
which  resulted a few weeks after in leuco-
matose degeneration, and perforation of the
cornea, prolapsus of the  iris,  and total loss of
vision in that eye.  Some time later the same
difficulty  made  its  appearance on the other
eye,  when I  was  sent for, and found an
equally-diffused  bright  redness of the scle-
rotica, occasional varicose vascular bundles
on the conjunctiva bulbi, a  blue ring around
a slight opacity  of the cornea, the pupil con-
tracted and immovable.  At the same time
acrid   lachrymation,  photophobia, and vio-
lent tearing pains  in the supra-orbital and
temporal  regions, and likewise  in  the eye-
ball, exacerbated in the evening and at night.
Further, slight  febrile  symptoms, impaired
appetite, increased  thirst, normal state of the
bowels.   Leeches, blisters, and  dry bran
poultices had  been applied  ineffectually.   I
gave  at first  daily,  and afterwards every
second day, one drop  of Spirit, sulph.   After
the first powder the  pain lessened, and  in
three weeks I entirely cured the eye.

          Ophthalmia traumatica.
  Case 14.—A  boy of 16 injured the ball of
his  left eye with the  point  of a slate-pencil
in such a way, that  in spite of immediate and 
68
DISEASES OF
active antiphlogistic treatment, a violent in-
flammation of the whole eye followed, toge-
ther with dimness  and staphylomatose de-
generation of the cornea, contraction of the
pupil, and opacity of the lens.   Four weeks
after the  accident he came to consult me on
account of continued inflammation, constant,
darting, boring pains in the eye and  fore-
head, increasing from midnight till six in the
morning  to an  almost intolerable  degree.
For two  days I ordered fomentations of Ar-
nica tincture on the eye, and seeing no bene-
fit arise  from this,  I gave internally Rhus.
(dil. 1., gutt. vj. in alcohol vin., dr. I J), two
drops in a tumblerful of water, to be taken
three times a day, with so admirable a re-
sult, that during the  following  night  the
pains did not increase, and totally left him in
the course of next day.  The  inflammation
terminated in resolution, by the continuance
of the same remedy at  Ionizer  intervals dur-
ing several weeks.  The recovery of vision
was of course out of the question.
           Amaurosis  incipiens.
   Case 15.—A  man over 50,  tall, lean, and
of hectic constitution, was,  without any ima-
ginable cause, attacked by a severe headache
a few weeks before Christmas, followed by
general malaise, and finally, by a violent in-
flammation of the left eye, against  which he 
THE  EYE.
69
used various external means, which partially
reduced  both  the pains and inflammation.
But as the latter decreased, he noticed a gra-
dual loss of vision, accompanied by an appear-
ance of fiery circles and balls.   On the 20th
of January I was consulted, and found him
without  any pain, but complaining of nearly
total blindness  in the  left, and  impaired  vi-
sion of the right eye, with frequent lachry-
mation of both  particularly if exposed to the
wind and strong light;  he could  not thread
a needle, the cornea of the left eye was par-
tially dim and opaque, and the pupil of the
same eye greyish-white, otherwise, all the
fuuetious were  in a normal state.   He  is of
a melancholy disposition.
   'rroi,t.m>-ni. and rmdt.  The symptoms ap-
peared to me so much like those of H -Isatilla,
that I administered this remedy in the  third
potetice, the  complaint having  taken  deep
root.   On the 31st of January I found  his
vision in the right eye perfectly restored, but
the left  seemed to  him lo be veiled, although
he  could see sufficiently  to thread a needle
and  to  sew.   One drop  of  Euphrasia  re-
moved all the difficulty in this eye also.
  Case  16.—A boy of  9  years of age had
from infancy been  afflicted with such  weak-
ness of  the  eyes, that he could distinguish
only such objects as were  quite near to him.
The  parents had become accustomed to this 
70             DISEASES OF
short-sightedness,  and  the  boy had been
going to  school for two  years past.  His
teacher remarked,  however, that  the boy's
eyes were constantly growing  weaker, that
in reading he held the book nearer and near-
er to the eyes, and this short-sightedness
continued to increase, until it became amau-
rosis incipiens,  manifesting itself chiefly on
the left  eye, and to  such  a  degree, that  in
broad daylight he  could not distinguish the
large letters of the  alphabet, though holding
the book close to his eyes.
  I gave  him Phosph.  10,  on the  13th  of
February, and on the 18th his sight was so
much improved, that he could  read the sign
of a shop on the opposite  side of the street.
I cured him entirely with this remedy.—Dr.
D. Schwarz.
  Case  17.—A woman, 48  years old, who
twenty-four years previously had had the
itch, had suffered for four months with very
violent tearing pains in  the  forehead, espe-
cially on the left side.  During the last week,
however, this pain had very much abated,
but since then it has seemed to her as if some
fine feathers were hanging on the upper
eyelid, which  she  had in  vain tried to re-
move.   During the  last three days they
seemed  to be gone, and now  (January 18)
the woman can only distinguish  day  and
night, and such large objects as a table, or 
THE  ESTE.
71
stove, etc.  Latterly, the pain in the  head
has totally  disappeared, but she complains
of tearing and burning pains in the eye, es-
pecially when she tries to see with it.  The
conjunctiva is somewhat reddened.
   1  gave her one drop  of Tine,  sulph.
Thirty-six hours afterwards she had no  more
pains, and the eyesight was better.  On the
third day she  was able to distinguish smaller
objects, such  as  knives  and forks ; on the
10th  the cornea  had resumed its previous
clearness.  At the commencement of March
I saw her again, and found her  eyes  in  a
perfect  condition.
   Case IS.— A lady, past 40, and who did
not menstruate any more, was  seized sud-
denly, and without any apparent cause, with
a violent inflammation of the  right eye, and
a year later with the same on  -he  k.*it.   Each
time she had  a fortnight alijrwards tearing
pains on the same side with the affected eye,
which  continued  for a  considerable  time.
She does not recollect ever having had any
eruptive disease,  but since her eyes became
affected, she has had a great  deal of itching
of the skin.
   She had been under the care of allopathic
physicians, who pronounced her complaint to
be  gout,  and treated her  accordingly,  but
without any benefit.  Part of her head was
shaved,  and a corroding  ointment applied to 
72
DISEASES OF
the part, smarting drops of some liquid were
introduced  into the eye,  a seton applied to
the back of the neck, etc, but  all  proved
fruitless; on the contrary, the evil, amauro-
sis, gained  ground.   On the 23d of May  I
was called.
  1 found the eyes but little inflamed, but 'he
eyelids, especially  the  right, were a  little
reddened and swollen, which was increased
by exposure to cold wind.
  A purulent mucus is secreted by the right
eye, formerly the lids became glued together
during the night.
  The left eye  was formerly  very  painful,
now not at all,  but in the outer angle of the
right eye she experiences a throbbing pain.
  Her powers of vision very much impair-
ed, especially on the left eye, with which
she can hardly  see  at all; and with  the
right eye she seems to look through a thick
veil.  The  pupil is clear.   Occasionally she
has a dull  headache, a  constant  pain in
one eyetooth, and when biting  hard,  also
pain on the right side of the upper jaw-bone,
frequent drawing pains, heat,  and  swelling
about the right eye.
  Sleep  disturbed.  Appetite  and  bowels
natural.
  July  3.   I gave Calc. carb.  vj.  Ten days
after she could see better.   I then gave Sili-
cea, viij. 
THE  EYE.
73
  August 31.  The left eye has very much
improved, the right  eye remains the same.
She complains of a  noise in the head like
that of wind, extending into the cheeks, and
causing a dragging sensation under the  right
eye.   I gave Acid, nitri. viij.
  Oct.  12.   Powers of vision  improved.
Noise and  burning  sensation in the  head
continue.   Phosph. viij.
  Nov. 19.  No further improvement in the
power of vision.   Noise in the  head gone.
Easterly wind causes a  tearing sensation in
the whole head.   I gave Petroleum iv.
  Jan. 6.  Sight remains the same.  Change
of weather causes tearing  pain and noise in
the head.   Cai.st. vj.
  Feb. 20.   Hcid symptoms the same.  She
sees better.   Silicea vj.
  April 12.  She  can see  so much better,
that she is able to read large print, and to dis-
tinguish trees at a  distance  of 200 or 300
steps.  The tearing  sensation in  the  head,
particularly  on the right side,  is still  very
painful, especially when the weather changes.
This time I gave her no medicine, but on
  May  13.    She received Caust. viij., upon
which her sight has gradually improved, and
now
  Dec. 14.   She is able to use her eyes for
all her  domestic duties,  and declines further
treatment.—Dr. Hartlaub.
                     7* 
74
DISEASES OF
                Cataract.

  Case 19.—In the spring of 1841, a lady,
aet.  60,  applied for homoeopathic treatment,
and came to my notice under  the following
circumstances :—She  had for two  or  three
years past gradually lost the sight, first  of
one eye, and then of the other, both affected
with cataracts,  which  were now  complete,
and for some months the sight had been en-
tirely lost.  Mons. Maunoir, whose name is
authority in such  matters, had advised that
the  operation  should  be performed as soon
as the  season  became favorable ; he consi-
dered the case to be one of complete and ripe
cataract  of the  lens.   However, the lady
being strongly  advised by  her  friends  to
seek homoeopathic  aid, and  as she could
not better employ the intermediate time un-
til the  operation could take place, she called
in an old homoeopathic practitioner, whom I
joined   later.   He prescribed  Silic,   then
Cann.  sat., and then  Sulph., and  the  cata-
ract improved  so rapidly,  that the  patient,
after a few months' treatment,  travelled to a
distant  country,  Russia, from whence she
wrote  to me  that her sight having conti-
nued to improve,  she was now  enjoying it as
completely as she could  expect at her age.
—Dr.  H. V. Malan.
  Case 20.—In November,  1844,  a man of 
THE  EYE.
75
strong constitution and lymphatic tempera-
ment, aet. 51, applied to me under the follow-
ing circumstances:—He  has had a cataract
on the right eye, ripe already for some years,
and one on the left, which has been ripe only
a few  months.  Mons. Maunoir  has opera-
ted on the right eye three times, but without
any success  ; the third operation took place
four weeks ago.  Ever since the patient has
suffered from  a violent inflammation of the
whole eye ; the  sclerotica is much injected,
the cornea opaque ; there is great photopho-
bia, a constant discharge of tears, and a com-
plete loss of sight.  Besides, the eyeball has
partially  emptied itself, the patient has lost
his appetite,  there is great  thirst and much
fever.
   I  prescribed Aeon. 5000, pulv. ij., and the
next day Bell. 20oo°, a  tea-spoonful three
times a day until amelioration.
   On  the 15th of  November  there  was a
 great  change,  but  the cornea  remained
opaque, the eyeball partly  shrunk, and the
patient was made aware of the complete loss
 of that eye.   Merc. sol. 15000.
   Nov.  22.  All the  inflammatory symp-
 toms of the right eye have disappeared ; the
left one presents a thick whitish opacity  of
 the  lens; the pupil  is  dilated but  mobile.
 The  patient  has certainly  lost the  sight  of
 the right eye, and with the left he can only 
76             DISEASES OF
distinguish day from night, but is unable to
guide himself.  He is led about  by his ser-
vant.   Sulph. 30oo°, was given dry on  the
tongue.
  Dec. 7.  There  is  much  amelioration of
symptoms, even of both eyes ; the opacity of
the right one has sensibly diminished in  ap-
pearance ; he can distinguish the fingers of
the  hand  interposed between him  and  the
light; and with the left eye he can distinguish
the difference between some coins.   Nothing
was given.
  Dec. 25.  Amelioration continues in  the
left  eye,  the right  remaining in  the  same
state.   He goes about to his affairs, drives
his own gig, walks  alone, and attends to all
his business.  A pustular  eruption, accom-
panied with much itching, covers the whole
body.   He  is given Cann.  1500°,  and  the
sight continued to improve until  he left off
treatment, as he thought himself far enough
recovered to need no further medical care.
I met with the patient seven  months  after-
wards ; he was still enjoying his sight and
health—Dr. H. V. Malan.
  Case  21.—December  21. A  man,  41,
living in the country, of bilious temperament,
thin, and who had suffered much from  head-
ache, applied to me.  He complains for the
last six years of a whitish hard cataract of
the lens of the left eye, and has for  some 
THE  EYE.
77
years past completely lost  the  sight of that
eye.  He had the itch twenty years ago, and
kept it three months.
  Sulph. 30oo°, removed chronic headache
and an inflamed state of the eyes.
  Jan.  23.  Silic. 30oo°,  was  given.   Not
much change occurred till Sulph. 30oo°, was
repeated.  On the 24th of February a vio-
lent itching came on, particularly  when un-
dressing at night; and all over his body an
eruption of  small pustules  ensued.  From
that  time the eye  began  to  amend.   He
could distinguish the fingers  of the hand,
and gradually see objects more clearly ; but
having  left the country, I was  unable to fol-
low this interesting case.—Dr. H.  V. Malan.
THE  END. 
 
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   C. HERING, M.D.  DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN.  Third
American, with additions from the  fifth  German edition.
1845   Bound, $2.

   HEMPEL'S  HARTMANN.   The  Acute  Diseases, and
 their  Homoeopathic Treatment.  Third German edition, re-
 vised  and considerably enlarged by the author,  translated,
 with additions, and adapted to the use of th<» American Pro-
 fession, by C. J. Hempel, M. D.  1847   fci 15. 
 
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     Penalty for Injuries to  Property
           State of New York. Laws. 1927. Ch. 642.
  A person who wilfully or maliciously  cuts, tears, de-
faces, disfigures, soils, obliterates, breaks or destroys, a
book, map, chart, picture.engraving, statue, coin, model,
apparatus, specimen, or other works of literature or ob-
ject  of  art, or curiosity, deposited in a public library,
gallery museum, collection, fair or exhibitions, or in a
library, gallery,college or university, or to any incorpor-
ated institution devoted to educational,  scientific liter-
ary,  artistic, historical or charitable purposes, is punish-
able  by imprisonment of not more than one year, or by a
fine of not more than one hundred dollars, or  by both
such fine and imprisonment. 
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