A practical inquiry into the causes of the frequent failure of the operations of depression, and of the extraction of the cataract, as usually performed, with the description of a series of new and improved operations, by the practice of which, most of these causes of failure may be avoided. Illustrated by tables of the comparative success of the new and old modes of practice / by Sir William Adams.

  • Adams, William, Sir, 1783-1827.
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A practical inquiry into the causes of the frequent failure of the operations of depression, and of the extraction of the cataract, as usually performed, with the description of a series of new and improved operations, by the practice of which, most of these causes of failure may be avoided. Illustrated by tables of the comparative success of the new and old modes of practice / by Sir William Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

    62/610 (page 30)
    it more probable, when opacity of the lens results from a blow upon the eye, without the capsule being ruptured, that it originates, from the de- rangement produced in the minute vessels of the lens, which occasions the want of a sufficient supply of blood, rather than an excess of it*. pus, secreted by that membrane. Notwithstanding I used the most active measures to put a stop to any further secretion, it increased to such a degree, as to occasion, by its dis- tention of the capsule, the most acute pains in the eye, and head, which became instantly relieved, on my introducing a cataract needle through the cornea, and making an opening in the capsule, from which, there immediately issued so considerable a quantity of pus, as nearly to fill one-fourth part of the anterior chamber. During some days afterwards, while remaining under my care, the secretion of pus seemed to increase in quantity. He then returned home; and on again consulting me, at the end of a month, I found the inflammation of the eye nearly removed, and the whole of the pus which had been effused in the anterior chamber, entirely absorbed, but the pupil had become contracted, and nearly obliterated. The small aperture still remaining open, was occupied by a portion of opake capsule, of a milk-white colour ; and as he is capable of perceiving light, and the motion of bodies, when passed between his eye, and the light, there is every reason to expect success from an operation for artificial pupil, should it be thought proper to perform it. * From the sudden, and almost instantaneous production of cataracts, which sometimes result from blows on the eye, it appears to me impossible, that inflammation can be the cause, as that action requires some short time, before it can come on. Mr. Pott mentions having seen four cases of cataract instanta- neously produced by external violence.