A Case of Sympathetic Ophthalmitis Setting in Seventeen Days after Excision of the Other Eye
Authors: E. D. Bower
Journal: BMJ (1883)

{ 2, 1y2 age A quarter of a gran of morphiS was given subcutaneously 4ireotl the patient recovered from the chloroform.Ioed water only was ordored,-and.five minims of tincture of opium every hour; the tempera,ture of the room to be kept at 650.-12 P.M.She was very eay .anquiet; had had no sickness since the operati9n and h slept occasionally.January 7th, 9 A.m.L She had had a quiet night, sleeping most of the4$re; passed urine at 4 A&.M.She had no sickness, and was in no pain, except when flatus came up.The tongue was.clean'; the ab- 4omen was still greatly disfended, but not tender.Some offensive wind had passed upwards during the nigbt.The opium had been continued every hour.Temperature, 99.30; pulse, 100.-BP.M.All w perfectly quiet.One ounce of beef-tea was given.10 P.m.A considerable quantity of flatus was passed by the rectum this even- ing.The abdomen not so tense; there was no tenderness, no sick- ness.She was still deeply under opium, which had been continued every.hour.Temperature, 100.2°; pulse, 92.January 8th, 9 A.M.She passed a good night, and felt quite easy.plenty of flatus had passed.She has only had iced water, and the opium, during the-night.Tongue clean, but red and dry.Temper- ature, 100.20; pulse, 88.-9 P.M.She was in the same comfortable state, and was still deeply under opium.She had had three tea- rspoonfuls of.Brand's beef essence, and iced water, during the day.The opium was continued every hour.Temperature, 100.20; pulse, January 9th, 9 A.M. Shbe had had a restless night from flatulence;a large quantity of flatus had been passed; she had had no sickness.Temperature, 100.80 ; pulse, 92.---3 P.M.The wound was re-dressed by Mr. Savory, with carbolised oil.It was all healed by the first in- tention, except a very small portion of the edges of the skin, about one inch.There had been no oozing of fluid, and the first dressing was only marked by a little blood-stained fluid.All the sutures were removed to-day, except one silver one.The edges of the wound were secured by long strips of plaster.There was no in- flammation of the wound, and the abdomen was much less in size, and there was no tenderness on pressure -9 P.M.She was much re- lieved by the dressing.She had only had iced water, and a few tea- spoonfuls of Brand's essence during the day.Opium was given every -hour.Temperature, 99.40; pulse, 88.January 10th, 9 s.r.Patient had a good night; the abdomen was mulch less.Temperature, 990; pulse, 84.I ordered 5 minims of laudanum to be given every three hours, and Brand's essence and arrowroot alternately, every two hours.-9P.m.She had had a com- fortable day, and was in no pain.Temperature, 98.80; pulse, 88.January Ilth.Much flatus was passed during the night.The wound was dressed again this afternoon, and the remaining silver suture removed; allwas firmly united, except the edges of the skin for about one inch.There was only a very little discharge on the lint.A little brandy was given to-day.Temperature, 99.4'; pulse, 92, in the morning; and temperature, 92'; pulse, 88, in the evening.January 12, 9 A.m. Temperature, 98.6'; pulse, 84.The opium .wasstopped this morning.-9P.M. Two small solid motions were papsed naturally this afternoon.Temperature, 98.4'; pulse, 80..The abdomen was rapidly regaining its normal size.January 13th.Temperature, 98.40; pulse, 76.LTwo motions were passed during the day.Jwauary 14th.Temperature, 98.40; pulse, 80.She was very muchbetter to-day.The abdomen was nearly of normal size; there was no tenderness.The wound was again dressed; it was all but healed.The bowels were open twice.Bread-and-milk and custard -pudding were ordered.Aftev this, she made steady progress towards recovery.On February 5th she was able to walk out, and on the 17th she left town for change of air; perfectly well, but thin.*