This section is from the "Encyclopedia Of Practical Receipts And Processes" book, by William B. Dick. Also available from Amazon: Dick's encyclopedia of practical receipts and processes.
5798. Astringent Eye-water. Take of sulphate of zinc, 20 grains ; distilled water, i pint; dissolve. An excellent astringent eye-water, in chronic as well as ordinary ophthalmia, as soon as the inflammatory symptoms subside; also in weak, lax, watery, irritable eyes, etc.. If there bo much pain and irritability, 5 or 6 grains of acetate of morphia, or 2 fluid drachms of wine of opium, may bo added.
5799. Eye-water for Weak Eyes. Take 1/2 ounce rock salt and 1 ounce of dry sulphate of zinc ; simmer in a perfectly clean covered porcelain vessel with 3 pints of water until all are dissolved; strain through thick muslin, add 1 ounce of rose-water; bottle and cork it tight. To use it, mix 1 tea-spoonful of rain-water, with 1 of eye-water, and bathe the eyes, if weak, frequently. If it smarts too much, add more water; if not enough, make it a little stronger by adding more eyewater. This is an admirable wash for weak eyes. It cannot be excelled.
5800. Wash for Inflamed Eyes. Take 10 drops extract of lead (the liquor of acetate of lead); distilled vinegar, 2 drachms; distilled water, 4 ounces. This is an excellent wash for inflamed eyes.
5801. Anodyne Eye-water. Solution of acetate of ammonia, 2 ounces; distilled water, hot, 6 ounces; soft extract of opium, 10 grains. Dissolve the opium in the hot water, strain through fine muslin, and add tho solution of the acetate of ammonia. This application frequently affords great relief from the pain and irritation accompanying inflammation.
5802. Eye-water for Specks on the Eye. Oxymuriate of mercury, 1/2 grain; best rose-water, 4 ounces. This solution is of much use in removing the indolent inflammation and the white specks which an acute inflammation of the eyes frequently leaves after it.
5803. Bates' Eye-water. Dissolve in 4 fluid ounces boiling water, 15 grains dry sulphate of copper (see No. 5797 (Eye-Waters)), and 4 grains camphor, When cold, add water to make it 4 pints, and filter. Good in purulent ophthalmia.
5804. Goulard's Eye-water. Solution diacetate of lead, 10 drops; rose or elder-flower water, 6 fluid ounces. Mix. Good in inflammatory stage of ophthalmia.
5805. Wash for Removing Particles of Iron or Zinc from the Eye. Muriatic acid, 20 drops ; mucilage, 1 drachm; mix with 2 fluid ounces rose-water.
5806. To Allay Temporary Irritation or Weakness in the Eye. Temporary inflammation, produced by cold or external causes, is rapidly allayed by frequently bathing tho eye with lukewarm milk and water, or rose-water; applied either with a linen rag or by means of an eye-glass. A poultice of tea-leaves (the wet leaves left in the tea-pot) is also an excellent remedy. Probably tho best remedy of all is to put a table-spoonful of salt in a basin of water (say 1/2 gallon), immerse the face in this twice a day, opening the eyes under the water, and using fresh salt and water every day. Tho eyes should under no circumstance be rubbed, as that will increase the irritation.
 
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