The causes of loss of sight shortly stated and explained.

Date:
1832
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The causes of loss of sight shortly stated and explained. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ing substance,) are generally followed by violent inflammation, both on the surface of the eyeball and within its cavities. The inflammatory action, thus excited, is ex¬ tremely apt to end in the formation of matter, which going on to accumulate, produces excruciating pain, and causes the eye at last to burst—an event which gener¬ ally leaves the organ in so altered a condi¬ tion, that there is no hope of sight being restored. The accidents which occur in breaking stones, and the like, might in almost all instances be prevented, by the use of wire- gauze shades for the eyes. These, in the form of spectacles, are used by fencing pupils, and are sold for two shillings and sixpence, but could be made in a 'plainer way for half that price. There can scarcely be a more charitable action than the pre¬ senting of a pair of these shades, to a poor man, who is beginning to break stones on the road; as without the sort of protection which such shades afford, particles of whin- stone are exceedingly apt to be driven into his eyes, yet unaccustomed to shut at the instant of the stroke of the hammer. The effects of the accidents in question might, on the other hand, be moderated, in many cases, by a cautious removal of the foreign substances adhering to the eye, and by proper medical treatment. Human¬ ity naturally leads the by-stander to seek to relieve his fellow-creature in pain, and in many instances where particles of stone