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SENSIBILITY OF THE EYES AND TEETH. 113
notice of writers on this subject: it is the peculiar
sensibility of the eye as contrasted with that of the
teeth. The eye being necessarily, from its function,
one of the most exposed, and from its structure one of
the most delicate, organs of the animal frame, requires
most vigilant guardianship. It cannot be cased all
round in close-fitting bone as the brain is, for that
would shut it from its object—the radiant light. That
portion, however, which may be thus protected is so, by
the bony orbit; but the front, which must be exposed,
has for a substitute the hard transparent cornea; and
as this alone is not sufficient, it is covered with a thin
membrane of excessive sensibility, so sensitive that it
calls to instant service not only the wondrously
smooth-lined eyelid, but every muscle, and all the energies
of the body; as shown in the sudden start and upraised
hands that immediately follow the slightest threatening
of injury to the eye. This guardian sensibility is only
on the surface of the eye, where alone it is required;
the interior of the eye is quite insensible. The
beneficent end of the institution of pain is served, when it
has done its utmost to protect from external injury; if
once the mischief is done, and the eye is pierced, it
would be but useless torture for the pain to extend
within. Thus, when the operation of couching is
performed, the patient only suffers the pain of the
perforation ; the stirring about of the needle within, to break
up the opaque lens, is unaccompanied with further pain.
The teeth, on the contrary, with their almost
mineral structure, need no such protection from mechanical
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