The connection between diseases of the eye and diseases of the teeth / by Charles Stedman Bull.

  • Bull, Charles Stedman, 1844-1912.
Date:
[1898]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The connection between diseases of the eye and diseases of the teeth / by Charles Stedman Bull. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by UCL Library Services. The original may be consulted at UCL (University College London)

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    lesions of the eye met with in the course of primary and secondary dentition. Second, lesions of the eye occurring in the course of abnormal diseased processes in the teeth. First. Lesions of the eye met with in the course of dentition, both primary or early and secondary: The connection existing be- tween certain affections of the eye and early dentition is very close, and is recognized by all practising physicians. Some of the ocular manifestations met with in the course of early eruption of the first teeth are sympathetic in nature and probably reflex in origin, such as photophobia and lachrymation. Others are of a distinctly in- flammatory nature, though also reflex in origin, such as the various forms of ulceration of the cornea and conjunctiva. Catarrhal con- junctivitis, phlyctenular conjunctivitis and keratitis, ulcers of the cornea, lagophthalmos from spasm of the levator of the upper lid, marginal blepharitis, mydriasis, and a peculiar form of cataract are affections of the eyes not infrequently met with during early denti- tion. Many authors have cited such instances. Sous, in the Journal de Medecine de Bordeaux, 1896, reports an obstinate case of kera- titis during early dentition. Auge, in 1881, published a paper on blepharoconjunctivitis during teething. Foucher, in 1895, pub- lished cases of herpetic conjunctivitis; as have also Tavignot, in 1871, Galezowski, in 1888, Chevalier and Decaisne, in 1869, and, more recently, Knies, in 1895. The case reported by Sous is interesting. A child was attacked by diffuse keratitis of the right eye, and a cure followed lancing of the gums. In the following year the left eye became inflamed in the same way, and the process involved not only the cornea but the sclera also. A tooth was removed to allow a deviated tooth to take its normal position, and in three days the cornea had resumed its normal transparency and all signs of in- flammation vanished. All these so-called superficial inflammations of the eye are generally considered to be reflex, and are relieved and generally cured by incisions in the swollen gums. I have under my care at present a child, aged ten months, in excellent physical condition, with good digestion, who for nearly three months has had a series of phlyctenular ulcerations on the margin of the cornea in both eyes, appearing in groups, and accompanied by great photophobia and considerable general conjunctivitis, and very pronounced swelling and engorgement of the gums. Local treatment has proved of little use, but on every occasion after lancing of the gums there has been an immediate improvement in the photophobia and the ulcers began to heal. The teeth have pushed themselves forward very rapidl}-, and with each new attack