HERPES-ZOSTER OPHTHALMICUS iS an inflammatory affection of the skin, char acterized by the formation of vesicles along the terminal expansions of the division of the fifth nerve, and sometimes its nasal branch, and more rarely the infra-orbital division of the same nerve as well. The vesicles are gen erally grouped together and have an in flamed base. At first they contain a limpid fluid, but this soon becomes clouded; the vesicles then dry up and form scabs, which fall off and leave deeply-pitted scars that persist during the remainder of life. As a rule, the appear ance of the vesicles is preceded by severe neuralgic pain in the course of the af fected nerve-branches, and there is some fever. The pain generally subsides with the efflorescence of the vesicles. The eyeball is sometimes implicated, either in the form of a keratitis, iritis, or irido cyclitis. I have noted the occurrence of
the disease with acute glaucoma.
It usually occurs in the old and feeble, although it has been seen in young and healthy individuals.
Treatment is wholly symptomatic, and consists in sedative local applications of lead-water and laudanum, or in dusting rice-starch over the affected areas. Mor phine should be administered internally for the relief of pain, and tonics should be directed toward building up the sys tem. For the severe neuralgia which fre quently remains after the subsidence of the inflammation, croton-choral hydrate, in doses from 5 to 10 grains every four hours, and the use of a mild galvanic cur rent have been highly recommended. Any ocular involvement must be com bated by the proper remedies.
Tumors of the Eyelids.