This does not mean that local treatment of the eye should be neglected
in any way. Any measure that will aid in getting rid of local pathology
as quickly as possible should be ours. Where there is abundant
secretion, silver nitrate 1% to 2% solution put on the conjunctiva
with a brush when the lids are turned, or argyrol 20% to 25% dropped
into the eye are among the best antiseptics for local use. If the
diplobacillus is present zinc sulphate ½% solution is indicated.
The nose, nasopharynx and pharynx should never be overlooked in this
disease.
Follicular Conjunctivitis
=Follicular conjunctivitis= is of catarrhal origin. It is characterized
by the presence of follicles. There may be only a few or a great many.
If numerous they are often in rows on the palpebral conjunctiva.
Microscopically they show as circumscribed masses of adenoid tissue. In
this they resemble the granules of =trachoma=. Sometimes cases persist
for years with little or no inflammatory symptoms. On account of the
follicles this disease is frequently confused with trachoma.
We have heard numbers of well meaning conscientious osteopathic
physicians testify to curing cases of trachoma with a short course of
osteopathic treatment with no pathology remaining. We are absolute
believers in the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment and want
to give it full credit for doing all it will; but here we want to
enter a plea to the profession that we need more discrimination and
definiteness in our diagnosis. Technique is being emphasized and we say
Amen! It is proper for us to be thoroughly competent in technique but
diagnosis should be made just as emphatic because scientific technique
depends upon diagnosis for each individual case.
=Differentiation= of follicular conjunctivitis from trachoma.
=Follicular conjunctivitis= occurs (1) chiefly in the young; (2) the
follicles are smaller, more sharply limited, project more above the
conjunctiva, are often in rows, and oval in shape; (3) the disease
clears up with no bad after effects often without any treatment and the
tendency is to ultimately get well; (4) it never leads to shrinking of
the conjunctiva, to pannus or other destructive sequelæ; (5) it can
arise without contagion and is not considered contagious although, like
trachoma, it does attack large numbers of people who are confined in a
small place.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account