CHOROIDITIS.
This is often of syphilitic origin,and yields to active Mercurial treatment; if got at an early stage, mercurial inunctions are especially indicated, and should be continued for a considerable period. In acute cases occur ring late in syphilis, large closes of Iodide of Potassium may be tried first. In acute, or subacute cases, where sight has recently been failing from areolar or diffused choroiditis, where no history of syphilis is obtained, and where the kidneys arc sound, the hope lies in small doses of the Perchloride of Mercury gr. four times a day), commenced after a brisk saline purgative.
Subconjunctival injections of c.c. of a 2 per cent. solution of Chloride of Sodium should always be resorted to in combination with constitu tional remedies, and some ophthalmic surgeons report most favourably of the Cyanide of Mercury r in s,000 injected every second or third day under the conjunctiva, especially in those cases where choroido-retinitis is present. The pain of the injection is prevented by the addition of a little Acoin.
Leeching of tha temples, followed by the application of a small cupping glass, or preferably by the use of Heurteloup's Leech, often affords relief.
Absolute rest to the eyes must be insisted upon and dark glasses worn.
Pilocarpine hypodermically, in doses of T; to gr., is the best remedy where recently effused products have to be dealt with.
For the chronic disseminated choroiditis, chiefly observed in children, the offspring of syphilitic parents, little or nothing can be done, unless there chance to be some recent or active inflammation going on. Generally the defect in vision is only noticed long after the active stage is passed, and when the period has expired during which the treatment would be of any use. The necessity of treating every departure from the normal standard of health in such subjects need hardly be referred to.
For the acute purulent form of choroiditis following injuries little can be done save for the relief of pain by warm fomentations and anodynes; when these fail, a free incision of the globe and irrigation by weak sub limate solution should be resorted to, as enucleation of the eye is liable to be followed by meningeal infection.