Eye bath, England, 1801-1900
Eye baths are a means of applying a liquid medicine or a simple wash to a notoriously sensitive part of the body. Once the ceramic bowl was filled with a liquid, the patient would place the bath over one eye, tilt the head back and open and close their eye repeatedly in the liquid. The bowl is curved to fit the socket of the eye and avoid spillage. Such treatment may have been needed for an infection or to remove an irritation. This particular bowl is decorated with a simple blue and white willow pattern transfer.
Object number:
A606624
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: ophthalmology
The branch of medicine dealing with the diseases and surgery of the visual pathways (usually the eyes or the brain).
Glossary: eye bath
A small glass or vessel for applying lotion to the eye. This is often necessary to sooth irritation.