Treatment.—At the very beginning, before the swelling has formed completely, pulling out the lash which passes through the affected part, and then touching the place with a fine point of nitrate of silver, is said to stop its further pro gress. When, however, it is advanced, warm poultices should be applied, and as soon as matter is formed it should be permitted to escape by opening with a sharp clean lancet. A strong needle will do if it is put in at one side of the little collection of matter and made to operrit up to the other side. A mere prick is not sufficient, since it does not afford room enough for the complete escape of the matter.
If a person is troubled with frequent styes, cod-liver oil, iron tonics, good food, &c., are means of strengthening the person to prevent them.
Tumour of the Eyelid (Chalazion) is ? formed in the depth of the lid. It is some times due to the blocking of the channel of one of the glands of the lid, and the gland consequently becomes filled and swollen out by its products having no outlet. The swelling is usually round, pea-like, and often very hard.
Treatment.—When the swelling is softish, warm applications, and rubbing in of the yellow ointment (see foot-note on p. 475), are sometimes sufficient to clear it away. When it is hard, the best thing is to have it cut out--a very simple and not a very painful proceeding.
Inflammation of the Inner Surface of the eyelids (Cold-in-the-Eye— Conjunctivitis- Ophthalmia).—This is the common form of inflammation of the eyes resulting from cold. The delicate mucous membrane which lines the inner surface of the lids is called the con junctiva. As stated on p. 447 it not only lines the lids but turns up on to the eyeball, which it covers up to the edge of the transparent part in front—the cornea. Consequently this inflammation affects not only the lids, but also the surface of the eyeball, with the exception of the cornea.
Its cause is usually cold, but irritating vapours, the entrance into the eye of irritating substances, will also produce it. It happens in the course of some fevers, specially scarlet fever and measles.
Symptoms.—In its simplest form there is redness of the lining membrane, and if the eye lids be examined they present a red velvety appearance. The person feels smarting and heat, beginning generally at the inner corner ; the eye is sensitive and watery, and there is a feeling as of sand in it. The person can scarcely keep from winking and rubbing, and believes some sand is in his eye, the removal of which will be sufficient. In more severe cases the redness is more decided ; the blood-vessels are seen to be very full and distinct; the lids are swollen, and the loose tissue between the lid and the eyeball is swollen. There is dis charge, of a clear sticky character, consisting of mucus, which forms a sort of film, and blurs the sight. The discharge dries and forms crusts along the edge of the lids. In the morning the lids are usually glued together with it. These are the symptoms of catarrhal conjunctivitis. In still more advanced cases the discharge is profuse and of yellow matter (pus), and we have purulent conjunctivitis. The swelling is very great, sometimes so as to overlap the eyeball. This is very serious, and must be carefully attended to lest pustules and ulcers form.
Treatment.—First of all, one must look to see that there is nothing present under the eye lids keeping up irritation and so causing the redness. Incurved hairs will do this, particles of dust, and little white gritty particles that form in the substance of the membrane, are often the cause. If such causes be removed, in simple cases a mild lotion with which to bathe the eye is sufficient. The chamomile-tea or sulphate of zinc eye-wash is best suited for this purpose