CHAPTER XVI.

REMEDIES FOR EYE DISEASES.

The proprietary articles advertised for the cure of diseases of the eyes, though perhaps not so numerous as some other classes of nostrums, vary a good deal in nature, but the claims made for most of them are equally comprehensive. The results of analysis of a few are here given and it will be seen that two of them, including one called “botanic,” are mercurial ointments. Another advertiser seems to think or pretends to think that cataract can be cured by bathing the eyes with soda alum dissolved in coloured water, while we come across also an “Ophthalmic Institution” selling for external application an anti-cataract mixture consisting of glycerine with a little potassium iodide and starch.

SINGLETON’S EYE OINTMENT.

This is stated to be prepared, by a person whose name is not Singleton, at an address in London. The price charged is 2s. for a pot containing about 55 grains.

The ointment is described on the outer package as

“An Absolute Specific for all Eye Troubles and Diseases.”

On a circular enclosed in the package it was stated:

“It cures Weak Sight, Inflamed Eyes, and all disorders of the Eyelids from whatever cause arising.... Singleton’s Eye Ointment requires great skill in making, and is composed of costly ingredients. One pot will cure you.... The Ointment also cures Piles and Scorbutic Eruptions.”

A book dealing with the ointment was also supplied, in which it is stated that

“Singleton’s Eye Ointment will cure all affections of the eye.”

Analysis showed the principal ingredient to be red mercuric oxide, of which 7·4 per cent. was present. The fatty basis contained about 4 per cent. of beeswax, and the remainder was a practically neutral and colourless substance which agreed in properties and analytical figures with a mixture of lard, Japan wax, and purified cocoanut oil. It is, of course, impossible to determine with certainty the composition of a mixture of fats, unless a large quantity is available for analysis; but the exact nature of the fatty basis is immaterial, and no indication was obtained of any other medicinal ingredient.

The assertion that such an ointment “requires great skill in making” is absurd, and as to the costliness of the ingredients, the 55 grains in the pot are estimated to be worth one-ninth of a penny.

BOSTOCK’S EYE OINTMENT.

This ointment, stated to be manufactured by a limited company with an address in London, is sold in a pot containing half an ounce, and costing 1s. 1½d. It is described on the label as “An invaluable remedy for every Disease to which the Eye is subject.” In a circular wrapped round the pot it is called “Bostock’s Botanic Eye Ointment,” which

is strongly recommended as a valuable Restorative and Preserver of the Sight, removing Inflammation, Bloodshots, Scorbutic Humours, Shooting Pains, Dimness, Swelling in the Eyelids, and numerous other diseases to which the Eye is subject; it also preserves the Sight against the injuries arising from extreme Heat and Cold.

Analysis showed the presence of small quantities of ammoniated mercury (commonly known as white precipitate) and an insoluble compound of lead which appeared to be the oxide; a little glycerine was present, and a bitter, light-coloured substance of the nature of an extract; this contained no alkaloid, and gave no characteristic reactions indicating the drug or plant from which it was derived; a trace of a vegetable powder was also found, the quantity being so very small that it was probably only an accidental contamination of the extract; when examined microscopically it appeared to consist chiefly of the tissue of a seed. The basis of the ointment contained soft paraffin and spermaceti, and a third constituent agreeing in its characters with lard. Determination of the amounts of the respective ingredients indicated the following approximate formula:

Ammoniated mercury 0·88 per cent. Lead oxide (litharge) 0·15 ” Glycerine 2·25 ” Extractive 3·32 ” Spermaceti 31·0 ” Soft paraffin 31·0 ” Lard 31·4 ”

Neglecting the extractive, the estimated cost of the ingredients for half an ounce is under one halfpenny.

A NEW AND MARVELLOUS REMEDY FOR THE EYES.

This substance, sold from an address in Wisbech at the price of 2s. 9d. for a packet containing 135 grains, was enclosed in a small envelope, on which was written, “Remedy for Eyes only”; there was no printed label except the revenue stamp. In the accompanying circular it was described in the following terms:

A Cure for Cataracts, Films, White Specks, &c. without Operation. The Remedy Cures and Improves the Sight when every other remedy and human skill fails. The Remedy within Twelve Months has proved itself to have no equal for removing Cataracts, Films, White Specks, &c., and is guaranteed the greatest and most marvellous Remedy in the world for such, and for all Eye Sufferers.

Directions for use were given in another circular, as follows, and seem worth quoting as an illustration of pretensions so preposterous that they seem calculated to defeat their own object even when addressed to the most credulous:

Divide the packet of powder into four parts; into an ordinary six ounce medicine bottle put one part out of the four, then fill up the bottle with pure water. Filter or strain the water before so doing, then let the Lotion stand all night after it is made, it is then ready for use. Keep the remainder of the powder in a dry place until required for use.

Shake up the bottle well before using, and in case of Blindness or very bad eyesight, for deep-seated Inflammation, Cataracts, White Specks, &c., pour some of the Lotion into an earthen cup or basin, and bathe the eyes three times a day, about two minutes at a time, and let the Lotion go well into the eyes by winking them whilst bathing them—the Lotion will do no harm by going well into them, for good results can only be obtained in such cases by the remedy going well into the eyes. After bathing the eyes cover up the Lotion with a saucer or plate to keep dust, etc., out, until required for use again. Use a piece of linen rag for bathing the eyes.

N.B.—For Painful, Bloodshot, Weak, Dim, and Misty Eyes, or Floating Black Specks, or for Eye Strain, Etc., and for Strengthening the Optic Nerve, Etc., and for Inflammation, Short Sight, Etc.—Simply bathe the eyes twice a day, morning and night, just before going to bed, about two minutes at a time, letting a little of the Lotion go into the eyes, and should the Remedy make the eyes smart too much, and too long, or make the eyes inflamed or water, etc., too much, make the Remedy a little weaker by adding a little more water to same quantity of Powder, or by not putting quite so much powder to same quantity of water.

This circular concludes with the following notice:

Please Note the Remedy can only be had direct from the Proprietor himself, as no other human being in existence sells it.

The package was accompanied by a written paper as follows:

Please note. Since instructions have been printed I find it necessary for a slight alteration for the benefit of those suffering from Cataracts, Films, and white specks. In such cases when first commencing to use the remedy divide the packet of powder into 4 parts make one bottle out of one part and use according to instructions. After the use of first bottle divide the rest of the powder into 2 parts you will then have sufficient for 2 bottles and will therefore have remedy much stronger of which is needed in case of Cataracts, etc. And when more remedy is required always divide the packet into 3 parts sufficient to make 3 bottles and follow instructions.

(P.S.) I may say for the benefit of those suffering from Cataracts, Films, and white specks the best and quickest results have been obtained by using one bottle per week.

The packet contained a coarse pink powder, with many white particles. Analysis showed it to contain:

Basic aluminium sulphate 48·2 per cent. Sodium sulphate (anhydrous) 18·3 ” Colouring matter a trace.

the remainder being water. The double sulphate of aluminium and sodium, or soda alum, contains 48·8 per cent. of aluminium sulphate and 20·3 per cent. of sodium sulphate, and the substance under examination thus practically consisted of this salt, somewhat deficient in sulphuric acid. The colouring matter did not quite agree in its behaviour with any of the common pink colours, though it was very similar to acid magenta.

The estimated cost of 135 grains is one-twentieth of a penny.

POMIES’ ANTI-CATARACT MIXTURE.

This application is sold from a place called an Ophthalmic Institution in London at the price of 2s. 6d. for a pot containing 162 grains.

It is one of a series of preparations sold under the name “Pomies,” including anti-cataract oil, anti-inflammation eye lotions Nos. 1 and 2, sedative collyrium, and others. The package itself was singularly free from printed matter; the directions on the label were as follows:

“Take some of the Mixture on a camelhair brush and introduce it into the eye in wiping the brush between the lids two or three times, twice a day.”

Analysis showed the composition of the substance to be:

Potassium iodide 5·6 per cent. Glycerine 56·5 ” Starch 6·4 ” Water 31·5 ”

The estimated cost of the ingredients, for 162 grains, is one-third of a penny.

SOME GERMAN NOSTRUMS.

The eye preparations analysed by Dr. Zernik are not very interesting. One called _Okterin_ is a sulphate water, colourless, odourless, acid, and astringent, apparently pumped out of a mine containing ochre. Another sold under the name _Opthalmol_, and described as a natural remedy for all kinds of eye disease is supposed to be made from the glands of a fish. It yielded analytical data which appeared to prove that it was rancid olive oil, with 6 or 7 per cent. of a mineral oil like paraffin. A third wonder-working application, _Augenwol_, said to be made from various plants obtained from many countries proved to be a coloured and perfumed solution of common salt containing a little glycerine and some extractive substances.