Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-01-30
THE HUMAN EYE,
BY
. s. WESLEY SMYTH, NJ. D.

80 49, NASNNN'SAOAA'
much Importance, and so varied are the
diseases confined to this organ, that one
finds in this department alone, sufficient
material for life of study. Nothing can
compensate for the loss of any special
sense, and we appear to regard the sense
of sight as priceless, above value, and of
the greatest Importance to the possessor.
The anatomy and physiology of the eye
ton and study, and its complex arrange
ment makes it of peculiar interest to the
student. The lids have an external cuta-
neous surface, a middle cartillaginous ma
terial, which give to them form and con-
sistence, and an internal mucus membrane
rejecting itself upon the eye-ball, secret
ing watery substance which allows a
free movement of the opposing surface
structure may be the seat of disease, and
without an appreciation or knowledge of
their Importance or the consequences re-
sulting from neglect in their treatment,
the disease may invade other and deeper
portions of the eye, terminating in i'm
pairment or total loss of vision.
The eye-ban has four coats or coverings
First, external mucus membrane, which is
a continuation of that lining the lids, and
the one most sensitive to the touch. Sec
ond, sclerotic or dense hard coat, which
gives to the eyeits white or CLASSY appear
ance, and is the one most essential in Civ
ing hrmness and form to the eyo-balI. This
coat is changed in its character by the in
terposit of a transparent substance-the
cornea-which gives the appearance OF a
watch glass being set into the front of the
eye. Third, choroid, thin, structureIess
coat, black in color, the object of which is
to absorb the rays of light; fourth, retina,
the true sentient portion of the organ of
vision, and is a thin, almost perfectly
transparent coat, the recipient surface of
all impressions OF objects that we see.
These impressions are conducted to the
brain by the optic nerve, which spread
network of fine colorless tibres on the in
ner surface of the retina. Within these
coverings is contained the vitrious and
aqueous humors; the iris, or colored part
OF the eye, is a vascular and muscular
membrane placed behind the cornea, Is
pierced with an opening, capable of alter
alton in size, and placed behind the iris is
the crystalline lens, through which light
must pass before reaching the retina. Al
though complicated as this may appear, it
is still susceptible of investigation, and
the experienced Oculist will determine
with accuracy the seat, nature aud extent
OF any disease which affects one or more
ofits structures. The most common vari-
ETY. of diseases affecting this organ is of
the intlammatOry type, and it is the neg
lected cases of simple Inflammation which
so often result in granular" lids, ulcers
and opacities of the 'cornea," disorgani-
zation of any one or all of these tissues
composing the eye, and finally complete
loss of vision. The many ''eye-washes" so
commonly used by individuals without
ing fully the treatment of diseases of the !
eye, are decidedly injurious, and cOntin-
uance of their use will convert the simple. |
durable case into one that is Ontrolla-
bic even by judiciOus treatment. HOwev-
er unimDOrtant the disease may appear to /
the Individual sufferer, 1t should never be |
allowed to continue, and no treatment in |
stituted except by the advice and direc- |
ton OF a physician, who more properly 1
understands the consequences of miSap- |
pHcatiOn of remedies. Cataract Is a dis /
case of the "crystalline lens" usually af- |
fcctIng elderly persons, produced by iniu- |
Ties, Over-taXation of the eyes, in reading
or sewing, or tie natural consequences Of |
old age. Its treatment consists in remov-
nj of the lens, an operation the success of
which viii greatly depend on the dexteri-
tV of the operator, and by subsequent use |
of spectacles with lens to supply the place !
of crystalline lens, removed from the eve |
sight is fully restored for all time. 1t i a
disease developed without pain, and so |
slow and gradual that the sufferer seldom |
seeks medical counsel until vision is de
strOyed, at least in one eye. The applica- |
ton of washes, ointments and the like |
are of no benefit to the disease, but NAV !
result in other and contiguous tissues
which are far from disease. Cross ewes
is an affection of the muscles
which have the power OF moving the eve
balls in any direction; but in this instance
the power is lost, leaving the eye to turn
in or out according to the side diseased.
Although presenting very unSightly ap- |
pearauCe, it is still amenaDle to treatment,
and in the hands of a skillful operator the
power of fixing the eye in its natural posi-
ton is restored. There are many instru-
ments devised for examination of the eve
besides those especially employed in oper-
atiOpS and treatment, and the one most
useful TO the Oculist Is the OpthalmoscoDe, |
an instrument by which we are enabled to
look into the interior OF the eve and deter
mine with accuracy the presence OF any
foreign substance or a disease which has
invaded the crystalline Tens uitriOus humor
or retina. Success in the treatment of
any disease affecting the eye, depends, in
a great measure, upon the PHYSICIANS
ability to determine by the use of the in
5 rmout the precise condition of the pa.
tient.
BARDwELL HOUSE, Rutldnd,E
January 18th, isI3.