On the treatment of iritis without mercury : read before the Boston Society for Medical Observation, August 4th, 1856 / by Henry W. Williams.

  • Williams, Henry W. (Henry Willard), 1821-1895.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the treatment of iritis without mercury : read before the Boston Society for Medical Observation, August 4th, 1856 / by Henry W. Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    adhesions of ihe pupil have nearly, but not entirely disappeared. They interfere, however, very little with vision. Case IX.—Mr. , counsellor, of past middle age, was seen in consultation December 16th, 1855. Twenty years before, he had an attack of iritis, for which he was treated with calomel, low diet, and a generally antiphlogistic treatment. It was six months after the removal of the active symptoms before his health and strength were fully restored ; but his eye entirely regained its power, and continued useful until the present attack. He now has great intolerance of light, copious lachrymalion, a high degree of sclero- tical injection, serous chemosis, contraction of the pupil, greenish discoloration of the iris of right eye, and very indistinct vision. He has considerable circum-orbital pain. Has recently been much reduced in strength, from disease of foot, and has had rheumatism in back. He has had a dose of calomel and jalap as a cathartic, and leeches have been applied to temple. Advised one grain of quinia and three grains of polass. iod. three limes a day. Sufficient Dover's powder to ensure sleep. Good diet. Atropia was applied to the eye, and the pupil yielded, though slowly, to its influence. The comfort experienced from ihe almost constant use of warm fo- mentations induced us to continue them. He remained in a dark- ened room. 17th.—Has been rather nauseated by Dover's powder. Substi- tute for it, liq. morph. sulph. The pain during the night has been severe. No improvement in aspect of iris. Pupil moderately di- lated. Much sensitiveness of the globe to touch. We advised a continuance of treatment, with a second application of atropia at evening. 18th.—Very little change in appearance of globe. Has had a very restless and painful night, but the pupil conlinues dilated and regular. 19th.—Much the same. Four more leeches were applied at evening, without much relief. Takes large doses of morphia, with only partial relief of pain. 21st.—Rather less sensitiveness to touch, and less chemosis. Color of iris perhaps rather better. Till now the weather had been vari- able and stormy since the onset of the disease. After this date there was a steady improvement. The injection of the globe, lach- rymation and photophobia, subsided; the color of the iris became more normal, and vision slowly improved. As the amelioration