Outside substance introduced into the Eyes
Washing the eye with water will be beneficial if dust or any insoluble substance has got into it, but will be injurious if the substance is soluble, as the washing will only tend to diffuse it.
Rubbing the eye should also be avoided, as it merely increases the irritation. Press gently on the inner comer of the eye towards the nose, at the same time drawing the outer comer downwards. The tears will then wash the foreign substance towards the inner corner, from where it may be removed. Immersing the eye immediately in a vessel of cold water and holding it there, will frequently remove the cause of irritation and afford relief. Sweet-oil will mitigate the irritation, when acids or caustic salts have caused it; but it is injurious when caused by the powder of flies, or dead insects. The white of eggs is very good when sharp, dust-like mineral substances, paint, or small pointed particles, get into the eye. For ashes, some kinds of dye-stuffs and perhaps tobacco, cream or sour milk is the best remedy. For lime, the eye should be washed with vinegar and water, or sweet-oil may be freely used.
If a hard substance gets into the eye and cannot be removed by the above means, but continues to cause irritation and pain, draw the eyelids apart, while at the same time the eye is slowly moved in every direction, and you can ascertain whether there is anything adhering to their inner surface; then roll up a bit of paper, so as to have a soft point, with this, as with a camel’s-hair pencil, you may take away the offending particle. Fine blotting paper will answer best for this purpose, as the foreign body will more readily adhere to it. Should it be necessary to push the pointed paper far back under the eyelid, moisten it first with saliva.
Cinders in the Eyes. A few grains of flaxseed placed in the eye will swell and envelope the cinder in a glutinous substance, and it may be soon washed out. Rubbing is injurious at all times; in order to avoid it, put on a linen compress dipped in cold water. Sleep sometimes diminishes the pain. If the eye is red and inflamed after the removal of the foreign body, give Aconite, which is also of service if it cannot be got out, and will diminish the pain until you can procure a surgeon, or till the night is passed, when day-light will enable you to examine more closely. If, after giving Aconite several times, the eye continues sensitive and red, give Sulphur, and in case this does not prove efficacious, Calcarea or Silicea.
If the eyelids are spasmodically closed, and will scarcely let tears escape, Belladonna generally relieves; sometimes it will be necessary to give Hyoscyamus afterwards.
