Treatment of the diseases of the eye, by means of prussic acid vapour, and other medicinal agentsTurnbull, Alexander
Science
Treatment of the diseases of the eye, by means of prussic acid vapour, and other medicinal agents
Turnbull, Alexander
Eye -- Diseases; Hydrocyanic acid -- Therapeutic use
"11th day.--She states that she can see some objects. The corneæ appear
more transparent. At the end of another week she was able (in the
presence of Sir George Sinclair) to state the names of some objects,
and to recognise, with accuracy, the colours of a variety of flowers
which were presented to her in order to test the degree of progress
that had been made. She can now walk out and home to her own residence
(a distance of a mile and a half from Thurso) without assistance.
The improvement continues to be progressive, and the corneæ are now
comparatively translucent.
"CASE 4.
"SINCLAIR SUTHERLAND, a labourer, aged 26 years. Staphyloma of one eye,
and occlusion of pupil in the other, from effused lymph. In the centre
of this there was a small opening which would admit the point of a fine
needle. The prussic acid was applied, daily, for about three months.
Felt great relief in the staphylomatous eye since its application; the
prominence of cornea diminished at least one-half, and though formerly
opaque, from repeated attacks of inflammation and ulceration, it is, at
this date, quite translucent. The effusion of lymph in the other pupil
has been disappearing gradually, and the pupil is now about four lines
in diameter. The patient is quite sensible of the improvement taking
place, and can now name various objects presented to him.
"CASE 5.
"MR. ALEXANDER MACDONALD, jun., merchant, Thurso, has suffered for the
last six months from an affection of the retina, characterised by the
following symptoms, viz., obscurity of vision, excessive intolerance
of light, and deep-seated pain in the orbit. The external appearance
of the eye is quite healthy, and the motions of the iris are natural;
ascribable, he says, to too great application to business, and night
reading: and, in many respects, the symptoms resemble those of
inflammation of the retina. The ordinary treatment of this affection
was resorted to with some benefit, and the eye kept constantly shaded;
but the deep-seated pain continued, and the patient was getting
uneasy. The prussic acid was applied, daily, for about six weeks. The
relief obtained was great, and at the expiration of one month all the
former distressing symptoms had totally disappeared; but I thought it
advisable to continue the remedy for some time longer. The patient can
bear a strong light with impunity, and exert his eyes on any object,
however minute, without uneasiness, and is now quite well.
"CASE 6.
"MRS. M'KENZIE. Capsular cataract of one eye, of three or four years'
duration. By way of experiment, the prussic acid was applied for about
five weeks, daily. Absorption of the diseased structure was slowly
taking place all this time; it has now entirely disappeared, and
vision of this eye is quite restored. The result in this case was very
satisfactory.
"CASE 7.
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