Mucopus Health Dictionary

Acute red eye. Inflammation of the conjunctiva. Allergic or infective. Fifty per cent cases in hay fever season are due to allergy.

Causes: environmental chemicals, drugs, feathers, animal hairs. Infections include staphylococcus, pneumococci, herpes, gonococcal (rare). Conjunctivitis never causes persistent visual disturbance. Symptoms. Watery discharge, itching, blood vessels visibly engorged, sensation of grit, mucopus discharge may cause lids to stick together.

A casual attitude to Conjunctivitis can no longer be justified. Prolonged use of antibiotics and corticosteriods is best avoided, where possible. Eye infections of virus origin become more common. A simple douche with herb teas enables eyes to stay clear of most minor infections. If ‘red eye’ does not clear within 3 days refer to Eye Department of a modern hospital, especially infections from herpes (shingles).

Treatment. External. The following soothe and do not exacerbate herpes or cause glaucoma: Eyebright, Chamomile, Marshmallow, Mullein, Marigold, Fumitory, Rose petals, Melilot, Plantain, Elderflowers, Fennel, Rue, Raspberry leaves, Witch Hazel, Aloe Vera gel, Borage. Conjunctivitis of infants – Elderflowers, Rosewater.

Douche. 1 teaspoon any of the above herbs to cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes. Strain. Half-fill eye- bath for tepid douche freely. Separate baths for each eye.

Internal: tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures or powders: Echinacea, Goldenseal, Myrrh, Garlic (juice, corm or capsules freely – not to children). Dr Alfred Vogel. Apply white of an egg.

Supplements. Daily. Vitamin A 7500iu, Vitamin B2 10mg, Vitamin C 3g, Vitamin E 400iu. Zinc. Cod Liver oil. ... conjunctivitis

n. inflammation of the small airways in the lungs (the *bronchioles) due to viral infection, usually the *respiratory syncytial virus. Bronchiolitis occurs in epidemics and is commonest in infants of less than one year. The bronchioles become swollen, the lining cells die, and the tubes become blocked with debris and mucopus. This prevents air reaching the alveoli and the child becomes short of oxygen (hypoxic) and breathless. In mild cases no treatment is necessary; more severe cases require supportive treatment – administration of oxygen and feeding via a nasogastric tube. Antibiotics are indicated only if there is evidence of a secondary infection. If the child is particularly vulnerable, specific treatment with *ribavirin or artificial ventilation may be beneficial. Recurrent attacks of bronchiolitis may herald the onset of *asthma.... bronchiolitis

adj. containing mucus and pus. See mucopus.... mucopurulent

n. a thick yellowish or greenish liquid formed at the site of an established infection. Pus contains dead white blood cells, both living and dead bacteria, and fragments of dead tissue. See also mucopus; seropus.... pus