CERTAIN POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM FOR CURING THE DISEASES OF THE EYES WITHOUT THE USE OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS, TO WHICH INVENTION HE HAS GIVEN THE NAME OF LEPINE'S OPHTHALMOLOGICAL POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM.
Year: 1854

page_text: TTERS PATENT to Eugene Antoine Lépine, Chemist,. from the Special
School of Montpellier, formerly Fellow of various Learned Societies, of
the General Agricultural Committee of Gironde, Correspondent of the
Medical Society, with application to Hydrology, born on the 8th of May
1797, at St. Girons, Arriège, France, momentarily established in Madrid,
Spain, for the Invention of "CERTAIN POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM FOR CURING
THE DISEASES OF THE EYES WITHOUT THE USE OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS, TO
WHICH INVENTION HE HAS GIVEN THE NAME OF LEPINE'S OPHTHALMOLOGICAL
POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM.'
i
aled the 13th February 1855, and dated the 10th November 1854:
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Eugene Antoine Lépine
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
10th November 1854.
I, EUGENE ANTOINE LEPINE, Chemist, from the Special School of Montpellier,
formerly Fellow of various Learned Societies, of the General Agricultural
Committee of Gironde, Correspondent of the Medical Society, with application
to Hydrology, born on the 8th of May 1797, at St. Girons, Arriege, France,
momentarily established in Madrid, Spain, do hereby declare the nature of
the said Invention for "CERTAIN, POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM POR CURING THE
DISEASES OF THE EYES WITHOUT THE USE OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS, TO WHICH

page_text: INVENTION I HAVE GIVEN THE NAME OF LEPINE'S OPHTHALMOLOGICAL POWDERS AND
COLLYRIUM," to be as follows:-
I have fixed for the composition of the said powders and collyrium (external
medicaments) limited quantities, which may be augmented or reduced accord-
ing to the constitution and temperament of the patients, as also according to
the degree in which the disease shall be met. These powders and collyrium
leave no after irritation subsequent to their being used.
No. 1, powder to be used for the curing of cataracts in general, specks,
caligations, vascular opacities of the cornea, &c. &c. &c.
Sugar candy, dry,
Extract of opium,
Ditto of belladonna,
(French weights)
do.
do.
do.
Proto-ioduret of mercury,
125 grammes.
1 gramme.
1 gramme.
3 grammes.
1stly, in order to reduce them with greater facility into a fine powder, the
extracts should be well dried, not burnt; they should therefore be boiled down
in a water bath, the quantities prescribed pounded along with 65 grammes of
sugar, and the whole gradually sifted.
2ndly, the proto-ioduret of mercury is to be triturated along with the other
remaining 60 grammes of sugar, and also gradually passed through the same
sifter.
3rdly, after concluding these two preliminary operations, the whole is to be
mixed together on a grinding stone or large marble mortar, in order to form a
thoroughly homogeneous powder.
4thly, this powder thus prepared must be enclosed in a box and placed in a
dry and dark situation.
5thly, it is to be used by means of a light camel's hair brush, and in the
following manner:-The brush is to be wetted either in a weak solution of a
few centigrammes of opium prepared for this purpose, or in water, or even in
saliva, flattening it between the fingers, and the flattened part is to be pressed
on the powder, which the moisture will cause to adhere to it; this done, and
when the brush is impregnated with powder, it is necessary to raise with the
fingers of the left hand the upper eyelid, pressing down at the same time
the lower one, applying instantaneously the brush over the diseased portion
of the eye, and letting loose the eyelids, which, shutting themselves forcibly
and by a natural effort compress and maintain the brush on the diseased
part of the eye, where it should be kept for the space of 20 or 30
seconds, after which it is to be withdrawn; the marvellous result whereof
being, that whilst this operation attacks all the diseased parts of the eye, it

page_text: produces no subsequent irritation, no inflammation, but cures these where
they exist.
The quantities of proto-ioduret of mercury and of the extracts may be
increased or diminished, according to the organization of the patient and the.
5 degree of the disease.
It will be found necessary to keep powders without extracts, as also
others with extracts and without proto-iodurets of mercury, to use them during
the treatment, according to the process of the disease. Any physician at all
acquainted with ophthalmology will readily understand the importance of this.
0 No. 2, compound powder to be used in simple ophthalmias, purulent
ophthalmias, ophthalmias in new-born children, hydrophthalmias or dropsics
of the eyes, staphylomas, the softening of the sclerotic membrane, acute or
chronic iritis, either scrofulous or syphilitic keratilis, abscesses, pustulous ulcers,
ectropium, entropium, scrofulous and herpetic blepho-ophthalmias, epiphora,
5 &c. &.&.
Sugar candy, thoroughly dry
Extract of opium
Ditto of belladonna
Ioduret of lead
125 grammes.
1 gramme.
1 gramme.
6
grammes.
Use the same process, the same mode of applying, and same observations as
for powder No. 1. A: most strenuous and efficient preparation.
No. 3, collyrium, an auxiliary agent in all diseases of the sight, to be used
alternately in all the cases specified for powders No. 1 and No. 2.
Distilled water
Acetate of lead crystallized
Hydriodate of potassium
125 grammes.
15 decigrammes.
15 decigrammes.
1stly, first dissolve the acetate of lead in the distilled water, after having
enclosed the latter in a phial, and then add the hydriodate of potassium.
The above mixture produces an instantaneous decomposition and a double
composition, both chemical; on the one hand, the iodine, holding greater
affinity with the lead, separates from the potassium, and forms an ioduret of
lead, which, being insoluble in water, precipitates; on the other hand, the
acetic acid contained in the acetate of lead, and the potassium contained in
the hydriodate of potassium, form an acetate of potassium, highly soluble
in water.
In pustulous ulcers of the eyes, the acetate of potassium operates as an
antiseptic, and the ioduret of lead as a powerful resolvent, and the best
cicatrizant for lacerations and ulcerations.

page_text: Dip the light camel's hair brush in this double composition, and apply it
on the diseased parts of the eyes, drawing aside the lids with the fingers of the
left hand.
I repeat it, this collyrium is to be used alternately with powders No. 1 and
No. 2, and for the same diseases. I have in all cases obtained from this
treatment, carefully attending to all the above prescriptions, wonderful results.
In many cases this collyrium has proved sufficient to cure epiphora and
ophthalmias, however obstinately they had been found to resist all other
means.
No. 4, compound powder, as a curative for amaurosis and amblyopias.
1
Extract of opium
Sugar candy, thoroughly dry
-
125 grammes.
8 decigrammes.
8 decigrammes.
15 decigrammes.
Ditto of belladonna
Strychnine
Same process, same mode of using the above powder, and same observations 1
as for powder No. 1. In cases of amaurosis with nebulosities of the refracting
centres, and when amaurotic cataracts are threatening, it is necessary to use
alternately powder No. 1.
•
Apply the camel's hair pencil flatwise on the pupil, giving to the finger a
scratching motion. At times the lachrymal bag and the conjunctivas are a
alone to be touched, in order to regulate the motion of the nictating mem-
brane.
In the treatment of amaurosis extract of belladonna is frequently used to
give play to the pupil, but this means must be used with great caution, where-
fore I have already mentioned the necessity of having powders without extracts,
this being the reason why the extracts enter in such small quantities in my
compounds. By these means, so simple and easy, I always stop the progress
of amaurosis, a cruel and irksome affliction, and I obtain by degrees satis-
factory and unhoped-for results by assisting the effect of these external
medicaments with tonic lotions, and practising for a few minutes clectricity on
the temples by means of the electro-medical apparatus of Breton, Brothers,
of Paris.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Eugêne Antoine Lépine in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 12th March 1855.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EUGENE
ANTOINE LEPINE, Chemist, from the Special School of Montpellier, formerly
Fellow of various Learned Societies, of the General Agricultural Committee
of Gironde, Correspondent of the Medical Society, with application to
Hydrology, born on the 8th of May 1797, at St. Girons, Arriege, France,
momentarily established in Madrid, Spain, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Tenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, in the eighteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Eugêne Antoine Lépine, Her special licence that I, the said Eugêne
Antoine Lépine, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as J,
the said Eugêne Antoine Lépine, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all
times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "CER-
TAIN POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM FOR CURING THE DISEASES OF THE EYES WITHOUT
THE USE OF SURGICAL OPERATIONS, TO WHICH INVENTION I HAVE GIVEN THE NAME
OF LEPINE'S OPHTHALMOLOGICAL POWDERS AND COLLYRIUM," upon the condition
(amongst others) that I, the said Eugêne Antoine Lépine, by an instrument in
writing under my hand and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the
nature of the said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be per-
formed, and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said Letters
Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Eugêne Antoine Lépine, do hereby
declare the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement thereof, that is to say:-
In ophthalmology, the art of operating has been brought to the highest pitch
of perfection, but it is not so with the therapeutics connected with the same,
which have remained stationary, and were doomed, if it were not for the private
researches of a few individuals, to absolute oblivion. Wondering at this

page_text: neglect of so important a branch whilst all other sciences are so far advanced,
and lamenting the frightful number of people who lose their sight early, I have
laboured to find a remedy for these diseases without having recourse to surgical
operations, which should always be a last resource. I have therefore proposed
to myself as my chief object, and with a view to scientific and humane interest,
to cure them without the help of all such extreme and ever uncertain means.
I now come forward, after a most complete success, confirmed by twelve years'
daily experience, to place at the disposal of all medical men, and consequently
of the public, the external medicaments, by means of which it is and will be
found easy to cure these cruel infirmities so largely prevalent; the more so,
that in most cases of operations for cataracts, and for the artificial pupil, and
still more in the opening of the transparent cornea or puncture, to evacuate the
watery humour in hydrophthalmias success is not generally obtained; the
more so again, that patients affected with cataracts recover their sight after an
operation only partially and with the aid of time, whilst all those cured by
my treatment are enabled from the outset to follow more or less their usual
avocations without the least danger, and even with ease, especially when they
attend to the wearing of periscopic spectacles in perfect harmony with the
focus of their sight. These spectacles do not try the sight as the convex non-
periscopic ones, the former carrying the light around and not in front of the
retina. These powders and collyrium have also the paramount advantage of
curing as through enchantment the irritations which may be produced by
operations, and that of avoiding in all cases, and by means of a speedy
cicatrisation, the after cataracts, which very often result from the operations,
and which drying up the sight condemn the wretched sufferers to a life of
misery and a premature old age. As far as I am concerned, I am confident
of the fact, and thousands of individuals will bear witness to my words, having
proved by themselves the truth thereof, that the cure is certain when the
disease has not reached its last degree, and there is not absolute loss of the
sight. Daily cases in Madrid will support this assertion.
I shall limit myself to sundry indications, according to what may be
required, which will suffice to lay before the public a new, wide, safe, and
certain system of curing all such diseases.
I have fixed for the composition of the said powders and collyrium (external
medicaments) limited quantities, which may be augmented or reduced according
to the constitution and temperament of the patients, as also according to the
degree in which the disease shall be met. These powders and collyrium leave
110 after irritation-subsequent to their being used.

page_text: No. 1, powder to be used in the curing of cataracts in general, specks,
caligations, vascular opacities of the cornea, &c. &c.
Sugar candy, dry,
Extract of opium,
Extract of belladonna,
(French weights)
Proto-ioduret of mercury,
وو
"
33
125 grammes.
1 gramme.
1 gramme.
3 grammes.
1st, in order to reduce them with greater facility into a fine powder, the
extracts should be well dried, not burnt; they should therefore be boiled down
in a water bath; the quantities prescribed pounded along with 65 grammes
of sugar, and the whole gradually sifted.
2nd, the proto-iodnret of mercury is to be triturated along with the other
remaining 60
grammes of sugar, and also gradually passed through the same
sifter.
3rd, after concluding these two preliminary operations, the whole is to be
mixed together on a grinding stone or large marble mortar, in order to form a
thoroughly homogeneous powder.
4th, this powder thus prepared must be enclosed in a box, and placed in a
dry and dark situation.
5th, it is to be used by means of a light camel's hair brush, and in the
following manner:-The brush is to be wetted either in a weak solution
of a few centigrammes of extract of opium prepared for this purpose, or
in water, or even in saliva, flattening it between the fingers, and the
flattened part is to be pressed on the powder which the moisture will cause
to adhere to it; this done, and when the brush is impregnated with powder,
it is necessary to raise with the fingers of the left hand the upper eyelid,
pressing down at the same time the lower one, applying instantaneously
the brush over the diseased portion of the eye, and letting loose the cyclids,
which, shutting themselves forcibly and by a natural effect compress and
maintain the brush on the diseased part of the eye, where it should be kept
for the space of 20 or 30 seconds, after which it is to be withdrawn; the
marvellous results whereof being, that whilst this operation attacks all the
discased parts of the eye, it produces no subsequent irritation, no inflammation,
but cures these where they exist.
The quantities of proto-ioduret of mercury and of the extracts may be
encreased or diminished according to the organization of the patient and the
degree of the disease.
It will be found necessary to keep powders without extracts, as also
others with extracts and without proto-ioduret of mercury, to use them during
the treatment, according to the progress of the disease. Any physiciau at

page_text: all acquainted with ophthalmology, will readily understand the importance of
this.
No. 2, compound powder to be used in simple ophthalmias, purulent
ophthalmias; ophthalmias in new-born children, hydrophthalmias, purulent
ophthalmias, or dropsies of the eyes, staphylomas, the softening of the scle-
rotic membrane, acute or chronic iritis, either scrofulous or syphilitic keratilis,
abscesses, pustulous ulcers, ectropium, entropium, scrofulous and herpetic
bleph-ophthalmias, epiphora, &c. &c. &c.
Sugar candy, thoroughly dry
Extract of opium
Ditto of belladona
Ioduret of lead
125 grammes.
1
gramme.
1 gramme.
6 grammes.
Use the same process, the same mode of applying, and same observations
as for powder No. 1. A' most strenuous and efficient preparation.
No. 3, collyrium, an auxiliary agent in all diseases of the sight, to be used
alternately in all the cases specified for powders No. 1 and No. 2.
Distilled water.
Acetate of lead crystallized
Hydriodate of potassium -
1st, first dissolve the acetate of lead in the
125 grammes.
15 decigrammes.
15 decigrammes.
distilled water, after having
enclosed the latter in a phial, and then add the hydriodate of potassium.
The above mixture produces an instantaneous decomposition and a double
composition, both chemical; on the one hand, the iodine, holding greater
affinity with the lead, separates from the potassium, and forms an ioduret of
lead, which being insoluble in water, precipitates; on the other hand, the 2
acetic acid contained in the acetate of lead, and the potassium contained in
the hydriodate of potassium, form an acetate of potassium, highly soluble
in water.
In pustulous ulcers of the eyes, the acetate of potassium operates as an
antiseptic, and the ioduret of lead as a powerful resolvent, and the best cica- 8
trizant for lacerations and ulcerations.
Dip the light camel's hair brush in this double composition, and apply it on
the diseased parts of the eyes, drawing aside the lids with the fingers of the
left hand.
I repeat it, this collyrium is to be used alternately with powders No. 1 and 3
No. 2, and for the same diseases. I have in all cases obtained from this.
treatment, carefully attending to all the above prescriptions, wonderful results.
In many cases this collyrium has proved sufficient to cure epiphora and
ophthalmias, however obstinately they had been found to resist all other means.

page_text: No. 4, compound powder as a curative for amaurosis and amblyopias.
Sugar candy, thoroughly dry
Extract of opium
-
Ditto of belladona
-
-
125 grammes.
8 decigrammes.
Strychnine
8 decigrammes.
15 decigrammes.
Same process, same mode of using the above powder, and same observations
as for powder No. 1. In cases of amaurosis with nebulosities of the refracting
centres, and when amaurotic cataracts are threatening, it is necessary to use
alternately powder No. 1.
Apply the camel hair pencil flatwise on the pupil, giving to the finger a
scratching motion. At times the lachrymal bay and the conjunctivas are
alone to be touched, in order to regulate the motion of the nictating
membrane.
In the treatment of amaurosis, extract of belladona is frequently used to
give play to the pupil, but this means must be used with great caution, where-
fore I have already mentioned the necessity of having powders without extracts,
this being also the reason why the extracts enter in such small quantities in
my compounds. By these means, so simple and easy, I always stop the pro-
gress of amaurosis, a cruel and irksome affliction, and I obtain by degrees
satisfactory and unhoped-for results, by assisting the effect of these external
medicaments with tonic lotions, and practising for a few minutes electricity
on the temples, by means of the electro-medical apparatus of Breton, Brothers,
of Paris.
And having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what
manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what, I claim is, the
powders and collyrium herein-before described for curing the diseases of the
eyes without the use of surgical operations.
In witness whereof, I, the said Eugène Antoine Lépine, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Seventh day of March, One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-five.
E. A. LÉPINE. (L.S.)
Witness,
CHARLES ARMENGAUD, Jn',
Ing Civil, Rue Filles du Calvaire, No. 6,
à Paris.