National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-04-14
Wounds and Injuries Of the Eve.

liable to the lodgment of small particles
Of dust or cinder inside the lid or upon
the front of the eyeball, causing great
suffering, These should be removed as
soon ~ possible, before the eye becomes
excessively sensitive, and before they
give rise to inflammation. Sometimes
close inspection, lodged in the front of
The corners, where they are not felt when
the eyes is open, though every movemt mt
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 fiat point, or
even by camel's hair brush but when
forciDly implanted they are sometimes
so firmly held in place that their extrac-
tion requires n skillful hand. When
fixed in the centre of the cornea. with
the dark pupil rs background, they are
frequently overlooked mt first nspec.
ton. II the foreign body is not found
in this situation, it will be disco red, in
nine cases out 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
tilt lltl VI 'Nfbull. NIf tiuNtN great lTTl-
tation Such particles once slightly i'm
bedded III the membrane lining the lid
may remain there long time before be-
ing expelled by natural efforts.
If the eyelids are closed for II few min
utes soon after the entrance of the for
eign body, SO as to allow the tears to nc
cnmulatc, and the skin at the centre
of the upper lid is then taken hold
of with the thumb and finger and
drawn forward so as to lift the lid from
the eyeball, the intruding particle is
often washed away with the outflow of
tears.
If relief is not obtained after two or
three trials of this plan, and no physician
is at hand, it will be best to ask a travel
ing co.npanion to turn the lid and re-
move the offending substance. But if
this should he grain of light coiored
dust or sand, good eyes or eye glasses
will be needed to detect it. !
The upper eyelid may be easily turned
by taking hold of the eyelashes and edge
of the lid with the thumb and finger of
the left hand and drawing the lid out
ward and inward, while at the same time
a small pencil, a knitting needle, or some
similar thing, held in the right hand is
placed against the centre of the lid, press
ing it backward and downwards towards
the eyeball. The person should look
down, as this greatly facilitates the ever
sion of the lid, which may be easily ac-
complished if these directions are fol-
lowed. The cinder or dust may then be
wiped off with handkerchief or the fin
ger.
Smoothly worn bits of shell from the
beach are sometimes inserted as "eye- !
stones" the popular idea being that they |
pursue the foreign body and bring it out,
nj et amis. But these generally only
add to the sufferers discomfort and in
the Few insu,tnces wnere their lntrOduc- |
ton is followed, after more or less delay,
by the escape of the original bulk to sep
irate the eyelid from close Co.. act with
he globe, and thus allow the sand or
Under to be washed from its position by
he abundant tears. Much harm is often {
lone by their presence. the remedy prov
ng even worse than the disease
Grains of powder are frequently driv- ,
n into the eye by premature explosions, {
&c. If near the centre of the cornea and ,
# some size, they should be carefully 5
picked ont, as far as may be, soon after ,
he accident. But small particles may
emain even in the cornea, without do (
ng harm and if they have been some |
ime in the eye, they become incorpora- {
ed in the surrounding tissues, and should
ot be disturbed unless they cause con 7
picuous deformity. i
Burns or injuries from acids or other
hemical substances, or freezing of the
ornea during exposure to intense cold, n
re usually followed by dangerous ulcer +
tion or even by complete loss of vitality "
/ the cornea. Such cases should never q
e neglected. {,