The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-04-03

Travellers, especially by railroad, are
liable to the lolgment OF small particles
of dust or cinder inside the lid or upon
the front of the eyeball. causing great
suffering. These should he removed rs
soon as possible, before the eye becomes
excessively sensitive, and before they
give rise to Inflammation. Sometimes
these foreign bodies are to he seen, on
close inspection, lodged in the front of
the corners, where they are not felt when
the eyes is open, though every movement
OF the lid over them causes much pain.
If not firmly imbedded they may be re-
moved by means of bit of wood, say a
toothpick, sharpened to n flat point. or
even by a camel's hair brush but when
forcibly implanted they are sometimes
so firmly held in place that their extrac-
ton requires a skillful hand. When
fixed in the centre of the cornea. with
the darki pupil rs background. they are
frequently overlooked at first inspee.
ton. II the foreign body is not found
in this situation, it will be discovered. in
nine cases ont of ten, inside the upper
eyelid, and generally Mt about the centre
of the lid near its border. Thus placed.
it scratches the cornea at each motion Of
the lid or eyeball, and causes great irri.
tation. Such particles once slightly i'm
bedded in the membrane lining the lid
may remain there long time before be-
ing expelled by natural efforts.
Ii the eyelids are closed for few min,
utes. soon after the entrance of the for.
eign body, so as to allow the tears to ac
cumulate, and the skin at the centre
of the upper lid is then taken holj
of with the thumb and finger ant
drawn forward so as to lift the lid from
the eyeball, the intruding particle i!
often washed away with the outflow o
tears.
If relief is not obtained after two o
three trials of this plan, and no physician
is at hand, it will be best to ask travel
ing companion to turn the lid and re
move the offending substance. But j
this should he a grain Of light coioret
dust or sand, good eyes or eye glasse
will be needed TO detect it.
The upper eyelid may be easily turne,
by taking hold of the eyelashes and edg,
of the lid with the thumb and finger o
the left hand and drawing the lid ont
ward and inward, while at the same tim,
n small pencil, knitting-needle, or som,
similar thing. held in the right hand i
placed against the centre of the lid. press
ing it backwards and downwards towards
the eyeball. The person should lool
down, as this greatly facilitates the ever
sion of the lid, which may be easily &c
complished if these directions are col
lowed. The cinder or dust may then bI
wiped off with handkerchief or the fin
ger.
Smoothly worn bits of shell from tn,
beach are sometimes inserted as "eye
stones, the popular idea being that the,
pursue the foreign body and bring it out
ri ef mmiS. But these generally only
add TO the sufferers discomfort and il
the few instances where their introduc
ton is followed, after more or less delay
by the escape of the original bulk to sep
arate the eyelid from close contact witt
the globe. and thus allow the sand o.
cinder to be washed from its position by
the abundant tears. Much harm is otter
done by their presence, the remedy prov
ing even worse than the disease.
Grains of powder are frequently driv
en- into the eye by premature explosions
&c. Il near the centre of the cornea ant
of some size. they should be carefully
picked out, as far as may be, soon after
the accident. But small particles may
remain even in the cornea, without do.
ing harm and if they have been some.
time in the eye, they become incorpora,
tedin the surrounding tissues, and should
not he disturbed unless they cause con.
spicuous deformity.
Burns or injuries from acids or other
chemical substances, or freezing OF the
conca during exposure to intense cold,
are usually followed by dangerous ulcer,
alton or even by compete loss OF vitality
in the cornea. Such cases should never
be neglected.