Pulsatilla has been successfully given in ulcer of the cornea, especially if superficial and resulting from phlyctenules. Excellent results have also followed its used in those small ulcers which prove so intractable to treatment, occurring near the centre of the cornea, with no vascular supply, especially if found in strumous subjects, with phlyctenules on the cornea or conjunctiva. The photophobia and pain are usually considerable in these cases.
A case of episcleritis, circumscribed, situated between the superior and external recti muscles, was very promptly relieved by this remedy. It occurred in a man highly myopic: the sclera was slightly bulged and some itching, sticking pain in the ball, with dimness of vision. His eyes always felt much better in the open air.
This drug may occasionally be required in idiopathic iritis, especially in young girls with delayed and scanty menstruation. More often indicated in the colored race.
Its influence upon choroidal affections was illustrated in a case of hyperaemia of the choroid consequent upon hyperopia. The patient could not look long at any object; was subject to severe neuralgic headaches extending into the eyes; head felt full and congested; was a great tea drinker. Puls effected a cure.-T.F.A.
The value of Pulsatilla in hyperaemia and inflammation of the optic nerve and retina is not, I believe, fully appreciated. Its marvellous results and indications for selection are well illustrated in the following case: A clerk complained of a sensation as of a veil before his eyes, especially in the bright light, together with headache when in the store, relieved in the open air. V. 12/30, difficulty. The ophthalmoscope revealed decided injection of the retinal vessels, halo around the macula lutea and hyperaemia of the optic nerve, more marked in the right eye. Within a week, under Pulsatilla30, the hyperaemic ring around the macula, dimness of vision and headache were relieved.
In a case of immature hard cataract with blurring of the sight, especially in the forenoon, and some conjunctival irritation, the progress was checked and vision improved under Pulsatilla200.- A. WANSTALL.
Accommodative asthenopia, with much aching sensation in the eyes after using; also darting pains in the eyes after sewing, and asthenopia from general prostration, have been cured.-T.F.A.
RANUNCULUS BULBOSUS.
Sensation of burning soreness in the right lower lid. Smarting and feeling of soreness in the outer canthus of the right eye. Smarting in the eyes. Sore smarting within the right eye. Violent pressing pain in the eyeballs, at times in one, at times in the other. Painfulness of the right eyeball. Mist before the eyes.
Clinical.- Ranunculus was found indicated in one case of herpes zoster supra-orbitalis, with bluish-black vesicles, high fever and the usual pains accompanying this disease. The success consequent upon the use of the drug was exceedingly brilliant.
RHODODENDRON.
Dilatation of the pupils. Periodical burning in the eyes with out inflammation. Burning pain in the eyes; when reading or writing he has a feeling of heat in the eyes. Eye symptoms aggravated before a storm.
In insufficiency of the internal recti muscles (asthenopia muscularis) benefit has been derived, as was well marked in a case, in which darting pains like arrows through the eye from the head, always worse before a storm, was an accompanying symptom.- T.F.A.
The prodromal attacks of glaucoma, in which the pains were always worse at the approach of a storm, were entirely relieved by this drug.
Ciliary neuralgia, in which the pains are always aggravated before a storm, will usually be relieved by Rhododendron.
RHUS TOXICODENDRON.
Objective.- Inflammation of the lids. A red, hard, swelling, like a stye, on the left lower lid, toward the inner canthus, with pressive pain. Great swelling of the lids. The eyes are red and agglutinated with matter, in the morning. Relaxation of the eye-lids, with puffiness of lids and hot flushed face. Heaviness and stiffness of the lids, like a paralysis, as if it were difficult to move the lids. Lachrymation in the evening, with burning pain. Weeping eyes. Inflammation of the eyes.
Subjective.- Drawing and tearing in the region of the brows and in the malar bones. Very sore around the right eye. Violent burning, itching and pricking in the swollen lids. Burning in the inner canthus of the right eye. Itching in the eyes on exerting vision. Aching in the eyes. Her left eye left enormously swollen and enlarged. Pressive pains in the eyes. Pressure as if dust were in the eye. Sharp pains run from the eyes into the head. Biting as from something sharp and acrid in the right eye. Biting in the eyes; in the morning the eyes are agglutinated with matter. When he turns the eye or presses upon it, the eyeball is sore, he can scarcely turn it.
Vision.-Sensation of a veil before the eyes; she could not see well. Extreme confusion of sight. Great obscurity of vision. Objects were seen double.
Clinical.-The clinical application of this drug in diseases of the eye is extensive and merits careful consideration. It is of value in many ophthalmic disorders, but it seems especially adapted to the severer forms of the inflammatory process, in which there is a great tendency to suppuration, or even when the formation of pus has already taken place.
For orbital cellulitis is a remedy of the first importance and will no doubt be oftener called for than any other drug, whatever may be the origin of the trouble (whether traumatic or not). as the picture of the disease corresponds very closely to the symptomatology of the drug and experience has proven the truth of the assertion that is is the remedy for the treatment of this dangerous malady. some alarming cases of this disease have been promptly arrested by this drug. In one case, one eye was entirely lost and had been operated upon with a view of providing free exit for the suppurative process and the disease was making alarming and rapid progress in the other eye. Rhus speedily arrested its progress.
Epiphora of long standing with no apparent stricture of the lachrymal duct was immediately relieved under Rhus.30.
It will be seen from a study of the symptoms which Rhus produces upon the palpebrae that its curative power chiefly exerted upon those symptoms of the lids which are dependent upon inflammation of the deeper structures. However, we may often find it a valuable remedy in uncomplicated blepharitis, especially of the acute form, if there is a tendency to the formation of an abscess and the lids are oedematously swollen, accompanied by profuse lachrymation and pains which are worse at night and relieved by warm applications.
We also occasionally find it useful in chronic inflammation of the lids in which there is puffiness of the lids and face, enlargement of the meibomian glands, falling out of the ciliae, itching and biting in the lids sensation of dryness of the eyes and burning in the internal canthus with acrid lachrymation in the morning and in the open air, or, as is more commonly the case, constant profuse lachrymation which may be acrid or not.
Simple oedema of the lids has been relieved. (Compare Apis, Arsenicum and Kali carb.)
In erysipelas of the lids of spontaneous or traumatic origin it is a very important aid in the treatment, if there is oedematous erysipelatous swelling of the lids and face, with small watery vesicles scattered over the surface and drawing pains in the cheek and head.
In any of these cases, in which the lids are affected, there is frequently spasmodic closure with profuse lachrymation upon opening them, which more than ever points to the employment of Rhus.
Ptosis has been relieved under this remedy; it is probably adapted to that variety caused from exposure to cold or wet (Causticum).
Simple conjunctivitis caused from exposure to wet, or aggravated in damp weather (Calcarea) frequently calls for Rhus, especially if there is much chemosis, with some photophobia, profuse lachrymation and oedematous swelling of the lids.
IN severe cases of conjunctivitis granulosa with pannus the intensity of the symptoms may occasionally be relieved by the use of this remedy and possibly a cure be effected.
Rhus may in rare cases be found serviceable in ophthalmia neonatorum if the lids are red, oedematously swollen and spasmodically closed. There will also be restlessness at night and other concomitant symptoms.
In ulcers and pustules of the cornea Rhus has been often employed with success, especially in the later and superficial forms of ulceration in which the photophobia is very great, so that the patient lies constantly on the face. The lachrymation is very profuse, so that the tears gush out on opening the spasmodically closed lids, which are usually much swollen, especially the upper. The conjunctiva is quite red; chemosis. The skin of the face around the eyes is often covered with a Rhus eruption. The remedy is especially suitable to persons of a rheumatic diathesis. The symptoms are usually worse at night, after midnight and in damp weather, therefore the patients are restless at night and disturbed by bad dreams.
Professor of Ophthalmology in the College of the New York Ophthalmic Hospital; Surgeon to the New York Ophthalmic Hospital. Visiting Oculist to the Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Children; Ex-President American Homoeopathic Ophthalmological, Otological and Laryngological Society. First Vice-President American Institute of Homoeopathy : President Homoeopathic Medical Society of the State of New York ; Editor Homoeopathic Eye. Ear and Throat Journal : Associate Editor. Department of Ophthalmology, North American Journal of Homoeopathy, etc.