68 OPHTHALMOLOGY FOR VETERINARIANS 



several cases of conjunctivitis caused by this organism 

 which were of a severe purulent type. This shows that 

 even in the eye there is a difference in the degree of 

 virulence of bacteria of the same kind. 



The treatment is practically the same as in acute 

 conjunctivitis. If little or no secretion exists, a solution 

 of alum or zinc sulphate in about \ of i per cent, 

 acts favorably, or the conjunctiva may be gently rubbed 

 with the alum stick every day or two. Zinc sulphate 

 is a specific in conjunctivitis caused by the Morax- 

 Axenfeld bacillus. Glycerin tannate brushed over the 

 conjunctiva is desirable in some cases. If crusts form 

 about the margin of the lids, apply the yellow oxid of 

 mercury ointment every night, and wash it off the next 

 morning with a solution of bicarbonate of soda. This 

 will soften the crusts, when they can be more easily 

 removed. It also prevents the Hds from sticking to- 

 gether, and allows the secretion to flow out, if there is 

 any. The general health must be taken into considera- 

 tion, and any unhygienic condition of the stable or 

 pasture must be corrected. 



Purulent conjunctivitis is also known as purulent 

 ophthalmia, and in many cases resembles an acute 

 catarrhal conjunctivitis, accompanied with more edema 

 of the conjunctiva and an excess of purulent secretion. 



It is caused by a variety of pyogenic organisms, but 

 the more common cause in man is an infection with 

 gonorrheal pus, when it is spoken of as gonorrheal 



