Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-01-16
THE HUMAN EYE.
BY
S. WESLEY SMYTH, N. D.

There is no portion of the human sys-
tenn, at present, more thoroughly under
stood, or more satisfactorily treated than
diseases affecting the eye and its appen-
dages At one time it was considered of
so little Importance that only a trifing
space in medical text books was occupied
in its discussion. Now it has assumed so
much Importance, and so varied are the
diseases confined to this organ, that one
finds in this department alone, sufficient
material for a 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
present abundant ground for investiga-
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
without friction. Any one or all of their
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 inn
/ pairment or total loss of vision.
The ey e-bau has four coats or coverings.
! First, external mucus membrane, which Is
continuation of that lining the lids, and
the one most sensitive to the touch. Sec
ond, sclrotic or dense hard coat, which
gives to the eye its white or CLASSY appear
ance, and Is the one most essential in Civ
ing tilmnc,s ana form to the eye-ban. This
terposit OF a transparent substance-the
cornea-which gives the appearance of n
watch glass being set into the front of the
eye. Third, choroid, a thin, structurcless
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 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 ii
network of fine coIorless fbres on the in
ner surface of the retlna. Within these
coverings is contained the vitrious and
aqueous humors; the IRIS, or coIored part
of the eye, is a vascular and muscular
membrane placed behind the cOrnea, j..
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
Gifts structures. The most common vari-
ETY. of diseases affecting this organ is OF
the indammatory type, and it IS the neg
lected cases of simple Inflammation which
so often result in granular lids, ulcers
and opacitics OF the ''cornea,' disorgani-
zrtion of any one or all Of these tissues
composing the eye, and finally complete
loss of vision. The many ''eye-washes" 50
commonly used by individuals without
the direction OF a physician understand
ing fully the treatment of diseases Of the
eye, are decidedly injurious, and a contin-
uance of their use will convert the simple,
durable case into one that is uncontroIla-
Bile even by judicious treatment. Howev-
er unimportant the disease may appear TO
/ the individual sufferer, it should never be
allowed to continue, and no treatment in
stituted except by the advice and direc-
ton of a physician, who more properly
understands the consequences of "A misap-
phcation of remedies. Cataract is dis
ease of the "crystalline lens" usually af-
feeting elderly persons, produced by inju-
ries, over-taxation of the eyes, in reading
~, sewing. or tho natural consequences of
old age. It's treatment consists in remov-
al of the lens, an operation the success of
which viii greatly depend on the dextcri-
ty of the operator, and by subsequent use
of spectaclcs with lens to supply the place
of crystalline lens, removed from the eye,
sight is fully restored for all time. 1t is 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 may
result in other and contiguous tissues
which are far from disease. Cross eyes
tstrabismus is an affection of the muscles
which have the power OF moving the eye
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 a very unsightly APP
r,narance Il II still amenahle 10 trea flnant