Prior to 1870 almost nothing is found giving more than two forms or divisions of iritis, it being classed either as syphilitic or rheumatic, there being only three forms of exudations given in the so-called parenchymatous, namely, serous, plastic and suppurative, the clinical history, cause, treatment and termination being distinct in the type.
Serous.
—Develops slowly; no pain; normal pupil or slightly dilated; little or no injection of vessels and long duration; usually shows punctate deposit on posterior surface of cornea; aqueous humor cloudy; ends without adhesions or serious effects. Treatment expectant, hygienic and constitutional, according to causes found.
Plastic.
—Pain pronounced; onset rapid; pain referred to frontal and other branches of fifth pair, worse at night; circumcorneal injection, photophobia and lachrymation; pupil contracted; iris discolored and engorged, may be nodules upon its surface; exudation of lymph and iritic adhesions follow. Treatment: antiphlogistics, mydriatics and sometimes mercury.
Suppurative.
—Iris very