On paralytic, neuralgic, and other nervous diseases of the eye / [Arthur Jacob].

  • Jacob, Arthur, 1790-1874
Date:
[1841]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On paralytic, neuralgic, and other nervous diseases of the eye / [Arthur Jacob]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/32 (page 13)
    I have shewn that the origin, course, and terminations of the third, fourth, and sixth nerves are distinct and separate, that of the optic and fifth are equally so, and the communications between the sympathetic and the third and the sixth are obvious and constant. The intricate connexions of the ophthalmic branch of the fifth are not, however, fully settled, notwithstand¬ ing the labours of the most distinguished anatomists. Some deny, or assume, or appear to assume, that the muscles of the eye do not receive branches from it or any other part of the fifth pair; yet Soemmering, Mr. Swan, and Mr. Dalrymple, describe an anasto¬ mosis between the fourth and fifth. Soemmering also says, that a twig of the nasal branch of the ophthalmic of the fifth joins the branch of the third, supplied to the rectus superior or levator, and Mr. Dalrymple corroborates this. The branch of the third, supplied to the inferior oblique, has a twig of inosculation or anastomosis, with the lenticular gang¬ lion, which is formed by a union of the third and fifth. The sixth supplied to the abductor also com¬ municates with the fifth. All this may appear unne¬ cessarily minute; but when we come hereafter to consider the effect of neuralgic or paralytic affections of those nerves on the motions or functions of the eye, we shall see the necessity of the inquiry. The influence exercised by the fifth nerve, as a nerve of sensation, and of the sympathetic as the nerve of com¬ munication with the thoracic and abdominal viscera, demands the greatest attention and most careful study. PARALYTIC AFFECTIONS OF THE EYE IN GENERAL. Paralysis of one or more muscles of the eye, from the same causes which produce paralysis of other muscles, is a common occurrence; and it is here we often see the first of a series of paralytic strokes which ultimately terminate the life of the patient. There is generally no question or difficulty as to their real nature and origin, and often very little as to their result. Indeed, so distinct and well-marked are they, and so easily traced to their origin, that no other forms of paralysis afford such clear and unequi¬ vocal evidence of incipient disease of the brain, its