Diseases > Domestic medicine

256 bcchan’s
scabbed heads, a running behind the ears, or any
other discharge of that kind. Inflammations of the
eyes often succeed the small-pox or measles, espe¬
cially in children of a scrofulous habit.
Symptoms.— An inflammation of thd eyes is
attended with acute pain, heat, redness, and swelling.
The patient is not able to bear the light, and some¬
times he feels a pricking pain, as if his eyes were
pierced with a thorn. Sometimes he imagines his
eyes are full of motes, or thinks he sees flies dancing
before him. The eyes are filled with a scalding
rheum, which rushes forth in great quantities, when¬
ever the patient attempts to look up. The pulse is
generally quick and hard, with some degree of fever.
When the disease is violent, the neighbouring parts
swell, and there is a throbbing or pulsation in the
temporal arteries, &c.
A slight inflammation of the eyes, especially from
an external cause, is easily cured ; but when the
disease is violent, and continues long, it often leaves
specks upon the eyes, or dimness of sight, and some¬
times total blindness.
If the patient be seized with a looseness, it has
a good effect; and when the inflammation passes
from one eye to another, as it were by infection,
it is ho unfavourable symptom. But when the
disease is accompanied with a violent pain of the
head, and continues long, the patient is in danger of
losing his sight.
Regimen.—The diet, unless in scrofulous cases,
can hardly be too spare, especially at the beginning.
The patient must abstain from every thing of a
heating nature. His food should consist chiefly of
mild vegetables, weak broths, and gruels. His drink
may be barley-water, balm tea, common whey, and
such like.