DISEASES OF THE CONJUNCTIVA S^ 



from the careless removal of foreign bodies from the 



cornea. 



Bums of the Conjunctiva and Cornea.— Horses at- 

 tending fire engine companies, those used in warfare, 

 and anunals confined within burning buildings are liable 

 to receive direct burns from firebrands, explosions, etc. 

 Chemical burns are caused by strong corrosives, such 

 as lime and acids, splashed into the eye. 



According to the degree, the symptoms vary from a 

 mild redness of the conjunctiva to a complete exfoHa- 

 tion of this tissue. It may be confined to a small area 

 or engage the whole conjunctiva and cornea. Pain is 

 always present. In some cases the conjunctiva is gray- 

 ish-white in color, particularly during the stage of 

 sloughing. The cornea is nearly always involved in 

 severe cases, and becomes opaque, like ground glass in 

 appearance, and the return to its normal transparency 

 depends upon the depth of the bum. The subsequent 

 effects of a burn of the conjunctiva and cornea are al- 

 ways to be dreaded, although the immediate symptoms 

 may not appear to be profound. For this reason one 

 should be guarded in his prognosis. Adhesions, either 

 partial or complete, may take place between the con- 

 junctiva of the lid and that of the globe, causing lunited 

 motion. The cornea also may be permanently opaque 

 and blindness follow. 



As the pain at first is intense, a drop of a 5 per cent, 

 solution of cocain appHed to the conjunctiva, with ice- 



