DISEASES OF THE CONJUNCTIVA 65 



with the secretion. If allowed to continue, it causes an 

 inflammation of the margin of the lids and a loss of the 



lashes. 



As a rule, there is not much pain— unless a foreign 

 body is present— but there is a tendency to keep the 

 eyes closed because of the sensitiveness to light. Itch- 

 ing is an almost constant symptom at first, and the 

 animal, in attempting to stop it, rubs its head against 

 some object, which irritates the eye and makes matters 

 worse. 



The subacute type follows the acute, and, if not 

 properly treated, lapses into the chronic stage. 



The causes are numerous, though the principal one is 

 infection or the introduction of bacteria. Anunals may 

 get into their eye such substances as chaff, seeds, dust, 

 insects, hair, etc., or the eye may be struck with a 

 whip or twig. Bacteria may extend to the eye from the 

 presence of catarrh and other affections of the nasal 

 tract. Strong gases, smoke, glaring Kght, hot air, cold 

 drafts, filthy and damp stabling, and a loss of health 

 generally may cause it. It often accompanies in- 

 fluenza, pneumonia, glanders, and other diseases affect- 

 ing the mucous tracts, and in such cases the same or- 

 ganism causing these diseases causes the conjunctivitis. 

 Diagnosis. — The extreme redness of the conjunctiva, 

 together with secretion, the presence of pupillary reac- 

 tion, normal tension, and a clear cornea will serve to 

 exclude other conditions. 



