An account of a newly-discovered membrane in the human eye : to which are added, some objections to the common operation for fistula lacrymalis; and the suggestion of a new method of treating that disease / by S. Sawrey.

  • Sawrey, Solomon.
Date:
1807
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of a newly-discovered membrane in the human eye : to which are added, some objections to the common operation for fistula lacrymalis; and the suggestion of a new method of treating that disease / by S. Sawrey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    26/30 (page 18)
    a minute or two. When the lacrymal sac was pressed, she observed that she felt the probe to be moved. Sfith—She felt almost quite well all day yesterday : when stooping forwards two or three times, water dropped from that nostril, which feels much more moist: she could blow the nose with greater ease; the eye looked considerably better. On pressing the sac, I could hardly perceive any regurgitation, and that only of water and a little mucus. I now introduced a probe of a rather larger size; when the bulbous part reached the angle of the eye, this became filled with water, which disappeared in a minute or two after withdrawing the instrument; water also ran down the probe whilst in the canal. Nov. 16th.—The probe had been introduced only twice since the 2fith. The eye did not now appear quite so well; I introduced the probe, and afterwards threw up a little luke-warm water, by a common syringe, fitted to a tube of the same dimensions and curve as the probe. By this means, I forced the water into the eye; some of it also escaped into the throat. 18th.—She was much better : I repeated the operation of probing and sy- ringing. Dec. 1st. Repeated the operation of syringing and probing four or five times since the last report. She seemed well;—no watery appearance, dry- ness of the nostril, nor gumming up of the eye-lids ; I purposed to repeat the operations of probing and syringing for some time. It is to be observed, that, although the good effects of the practice, in this particular case, was so decisive, yet, from the disease having advanced to sup- puration, it was not the most favourable for the operation. In an incipient state, one might more reasonably expect the same, or still greater benefit; for when suppuration once takes place, the structure of the surrounding parts becomes much altered. I am aware, that the introduction of the probe is not altogether unattended with difficulty, and in some cases more than in others, it not only requires an exact knowledge of the parts, but also a quick sensation of touch, and some address or knack on the part of the practitioner, which is not easily explained. However, I am confident that a little experience will overcome the difficulty, .and that the practice will tend greatly to promote the cure of the disease in question. FINIS. PRINTED BY RIDER AND WEED, LITTBE BRITAIN.