Its action, however, is not confined to the superficial variety of keratitis, as great benefit has been observed from its use in suppuration of the cornea, especially if consequent upon cataract extraction.
In simple idiopathic or rheumatic iritis this drug has proved serviceable, especially in those cases resulting from exposure to wet. or if the predisposing cause can be referred to a rheumatic diathesis.
Mydriasis from exposure to cold and dampness has been relieved by Rhus.
Its grandest sphere of action is to be found in suppurative iritis, or in the still more severe cases in which the inflammatory process has involved the remainder of the uveal tract (Ciliary body and choroid), especially if of traumatic origin, as after cataract extraction. As a remedy in this dangerous form of inflammation of the eye it stands unrivalled, no other drug having, as yet, been found equal to it in importance in this serious malady. The symptoms of the drug will be seen to correspond very closely to a great majority of the cases. The lids are red, swollen and oedematous, especially the upper, and spasmodically closed, with profuse gushes of hot tears upon opening them; sac-like swelling of the conjunctiva and yellow, purulent, mucous discharge; pain in and around the eye; swelling of the cheek and surrounding parts, besides the usual concomitant symptoms. For suppurative inflammation of a part or whole of the uveal tract of non-traumatic origin, Rhus has been known to restore the eye ” ad integrum; ” even if the formation of pus has already taken place it may cause its absorption. We also think from experience that it serves, to a certain extent, to prevent suppurative inflammation after severe operations upon the eye, though do not by any means consider it a sure preventive. Note.-If most prompt results are not found from the higher potencies in a few hours, the first should be resorted to. This is a most important note to make, for not a moment can be lost in arresting the disease, nor can we afford to produce an aggravation in a sensitive subject with large doses.
In paresis or paralysis of any of the muscles of the eyeball resulting from rheumatism, exposure to cold or getting the feet wet this remedy is very useful and should be compared with Causticum in frequency of indication.
The symptomatology of Rhus and Apis are somewhat similar, but the latter is not as frequently indicated in severe inflammations of the deep structures which tend toward suppuration as the the former. The Apis patient is drowsy and thirstless, while the Rhus patient is restless and thirsty (Arsen.).
Rhus radicans has been employed with great success in scrofulous ophthalmia in which the same symptoms are present which have been given under Rhus tox.
RUTA GRAVEOLENS.
Subjective.-Pressure deep in the orbits. Pain as from a bruise in the tarsal cartilage. Stitches in the left frontal bone only while reading. Pressure over the eyebrows. Itching in the inner canthi and on the lower lids that after rubbing became a biting, so that the eye filled with water. Burning beneath the left eye. Sensation of heat and fire in the eyes and aching while reading (in the evening, by the light). The eyes feel fatigued, as after reading too long. Weary pain in the eyes after reading.
Vision.-Vision very weak, as if the eyes were excessively strained. Objects seem dim before the eyes, as if a shadow were flitting before it.
Clinical.-Ruta has been of service in a case of choroiditis in a myope resulting from over-straining the eyes. There was much pain in the eyes on trying to look at objects, heat in the eye (though it seems cold) and twitching in the eyeballs.-T.F.A.
Under the use of this drug the vision has been restored in amblyopia dependent upon over-exertion of the eyes in anomalies of refraction, or even when no cause has been apparent.
Its chief value is to be found in the relief of asthenopia, in which it is a remedy of the first importance. It is more often indicated in weakness of the ciliary muscle than of the internal recti. Such asthenopic symptoms as heat and aching in over the eyes, feeling as if the eyes were balls of fire at night, blurring of the vision, letters seem to run together and lachrymation, which are caused or always made worse by straining the eyes at fine work or too much reading, are often relieved by a few doses of Ruta.
We must, of course, remember that a great majority of these cases are dependent upon anomalies in the refraction or accommodation which render the proper selection of glasses absolutely necessary before we can ameliorate the asthenopic symptoms.
In comparing the usual remedies employed in asthenopia it will be found that Conium and Argentum nitr. are very similar in their action to Ruta; all three are especially called for in accommodative asthenopia. Conium has more photophobia and Argentum nitr. more tendency to catarrhal symptoms than Ruta. The asthenopic symptoms which Nat. mur. relieves are more commonly dependent upon muscular asthenopia.
SANGUINARIA.
Redness of the eyes in the morning. Lachrymation. Burning dryness in the eyes. Pain over the eyes. Dilatation of the pupils. Headaches in a small spot over the right eye. Eyes relieved by hard pressure upon the eyeballs.
Clinical.-Benefit has been derived from its employment in blepharo-adenitis, with a feeling of dryness under the upper lid and burning in the edges of the lids, with accumulation of mucus in the eye in the morning.
Acute conjunctivitis, with excessive redness and numerous ecchymoses in the conjunctiva, tending towards trachoma, with moderate discharge and some pain in the eye, has been speedily cured by the local use of Sanguinaria (gtt. x: aq c. z3j).
SECALE CORNUTUM.
Cataracts, both hard and soft. Eyes sunken and surrounded with a blue margin. Dilatation of the pupils. Dimness of vision.
Clinical.-The unquestionable production of cataract by this drug should suggest its use in checking the progress of this disease.
From a study of the general action of Secale, it is recommended for retinitis diabetica.
SENEGA.
Weakness of the eyes, with much smarting, burning and lachrymation. When looking at an object intently or permanently the eyes tremble and run. Aching pain over the orbits. Dull, aching pressive pains about eyes. Drawing and pressive in the eyeballs, with diminution of visual power.
Vision.-Weakness of sight and flickering before the eyes when reading, obliging one to wipe them often. Objects look shaded. While reading the eyes feel dazzled; this makes reading difficult. Flickering before the eyes and weakness of sight when continuing to read or write. When walking toward the setting sun he seemed to see another smaller sun hover below the other, assuming a somewhat oval shape when looking down, disappearing on bending the head backward and on closing the eyes. Flickering and running together of letters when reading.
Clinical.-The action of Senega upon the lids is very marked in the provings. This together with its marked action upon general mucous surfaces, renders its use in catarrhal ophthalmia obvious, as also in blepharitis, in which there is smarting and dry crusts on the lids, especially in the morning.
Very marked improvement was observed from this drug in an old case of opacities in the vitreous. Within three months the vitreous had cleared to such an extent that the vision has in creased, from counting fingers at ten feet, to 10/70 and was still improving under Senega.3-A. WANSTALL.
Senega is of great importance in promoting the absorption of lens fragments after cataract operations or injuries to the lens.
In addition to and corresponding with the general muscular laxity we find remarkable symptoms of paralysis of the muscles of the eye.
This remedy is of the first importance in weakness or even paralysis of the recti and oblique muscles, especially in hyperphoria. The patient will usually complain of dull, tired, aching or pressive pains in, around or behind the eyes, with smarting and burning in the eyes, always worse after any use. There may be conjunctival catarrh and often general headache or dullness in the open air.-G.S.N.
SEPIA.
Objective(>)_Lachrymation, morning and evening. Lachrymation in the open air. Drooping of the eyelids, with the dull headache. Agglutination of the eyelids. A red, herpetic spot on the upper eyelid, scaly and peeling off. Pustules on the conjunctiva of the left eye. A swelling in the eyes, burning and flow of tears, which affords relief. Inflammation of the eyes, with redness of the whites; stitching and pressure therein. Redness of the white of the eye in the morning on awaking, with burning, smarting and pressure. The eyes feel tired and look injected.
Subjective.-Eyelids heavy with much frontal pain. Heat and dryness of the margins of the lids. The eyelids pain on awaking as if too heavy. Great itching of the margin of the lids. Momentary attacks of giddiness while writing. In the evening, after walking in the cold wind, I had a sore, rough, burning feeling in my eyes, aggravated by gas-light and on attempting to read. Eyes feel very sore, as if bruised. Dragging feeling in eyes. Pressure in the right eye, as from a grain of sand, aggravated by rubbing; felt most sensitive when pressing the eyelids together. Pressure in the eyes at night. Great burning and lachrymation of the eyes. Burning in the morning. Eyes hot and dry. Eyes feel like balls of fire, especially the left, which is much injected. A slight burning feeling in the eyes and a desire to close them; they feel sore to touch. Smarting pain in both eyes. Smarting in the right eye, in the evening, with inclination of the lids to close against one`s wish. The eyes become fatigued from reading and writing. The candle-light fatigues the eyes when reading or writing by causing a contractive sensation. Cannot bear reflected light from bright objects; annoyed by reflections from bright objects.
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.