66 OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR VETERINARIANS 



Treatment. — The main indication in all cases is to find 

 the cause and get rid of that. First examine the eye 

 carefully for the presence of a foreign body. This may 

 be found in many cases only by the closest inspection 

 with condensed light and a magnifying lens. 



If the secretion is purulent in character a smear should 

 be made, and this examined with the microscope to de- 

 termine what particular organism the inflammation is 

 due to. If the eye is sensitive to light, the cornea should 

 be examined for excoriations of the epithelium. 



The general condition should always be cared for and 

 the eye kept as clean as possible. In mild cases a solu- 

 tion of 



Sulphate of zinc gr. j ; 



Boric acid gr- xx; 



Distilled water § j. 



Mix. 



is sufficient if dropped into the eye several times a day. 

 If the case is a severe one the conjunctival surface may 

 be brushed Hghtly with a 2 per cent, solution of silver 

 nitrate, and immediately washed off with a normal salt 

 solution or clear water. If no corneal complications 

 exist, cold applications are indicated. Strong Hght 

 should be excluded and the animal allowed to exercise 

 after sundown. 



Chronic conjunctivitis may follow the acute type, and 

 often exists a long time. The conjunctiva is somewhat 

 thickened, and the secretion is scanty and of a mucoid 



