sandy-blight

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

n.


a kind of ophthalmia common inAustralia, in which the eye feels as if full of sand. Calledalso shortly, Blight.

Shakspeare has sand-blind ( M. of V. II. ii. 31);

Launcelot says – –

«0 heavens, this is my true-begotten father! who, beingmore than sand-blind, high-gravel blind, knows me not.»

On this, the American commentator, Mr. Rolfe, notes – – « Sand-blind. Dim of sight; as if there were sand in theeye, or perhaps floating before it. It means something morethan purblind.»

«As if there were sand in the eye,» – – an admirable descriptionof the Australian Sandy-blight.

1869. J. F. Blanche, `The Prince's Visit,' p. 20:

«The Prince was suff'ring from the sandy blight.»

1870. E. B. Kennedy, `Four Years in Queensland,' p. 46:

«Sandy-blight occurs generally in sandy districts in the NorthKennedy; it may be avoided by ordinary care, and washing theeyes after a hot ride through sandy country. It is a speciesof mild ophthalmia.»

1891. Rolf Boldrewood, `A Sydney-side Saxon,' p. 78:

«He had pretty near lost his eyesight with the sandy blight,which made him put his head forward when he spoke, as if hetook you for some one else, or was looking for what he couldn'tfind.»

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