FOREIGN BODIES.—Small-sized foreign bodies frequently make their way into the conjunctival sac and cause consider able pain by the pressure which they exert upon the cornea with every move ment of the lid. If the body be found imbedded in the lower it is an easy matter to remove it, but if it be under the upper lid, it is necessary to evert the latter. This is accomplished by grasping the lashes and the edge of the lid with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand while the patient is di rected to remain looking down, slightly pressing upon the upper edge of the tarsus either with a finger of the other hand or some convenient instrument: a blunt pencil, a probe, etc.
Large bodies may remain buried deep in the for weeks at a time, and merely cause the symptoms of a chronic catarrhal conjunctivitis. Of this nature is the inflammation set up by the "eye-stones" which are frequently introduced into the eye by laymen to remove cinders or other foreign bodies. Having performed their function, they become imbedded in the folds of the con junctiva.
WonNns.—The conjunctiva is not in frequently involved in wounds of the globe itself or of its adnexa. If the
wound be extensive, the edges should be approximated with stitches, but other wise a simple boric-acid wash with a pro tective bandage will suffice.
BURNS.—Burns of the conjunctiva are common. These are usually caused by lime, acids, hot water, hot ashes, molten metal, etc., and are particularly serious on account of the subsequent contrac tions and deformities which they occa sion in the lids and damage wrought in the cornea.
If the substance inflicting the burn is Hine, the eye should be washed with a diluted or weak solution of a mineral acid, or, if this be not at hand, all parti cles should be removed at once by forci bly flooding the eye with water from a hose or spigot.
If an acid has caused the burn, it should be neutralized by a weak solution of borax, bicarbonate of soda, or of com mon salt if nothing else be on hand.
Subsequent inflammation is best com bated by cold compresses, boric acid, atropine, and some emollient substance, such as vaselin.