112 DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



In the severer forms of ophthalmia there is considerable constitutional 

 disturbance with prostration, some fever, hot nose, constipation, and the 

 usual signs of inflammation. 



Prognosis . — In milder cases the disease is very readily controlled, and 

 a complete recovery without injury to the sight of the eye maybe con- 

 templated. In purulent ophthalmia with severer symptoms, the affection 

 may lead to ulceration or sloughing of the anterior coat of the eye, and 

 inflammation of the internal parts of the eyeball. 



Treatment. — Great attention should be paid to cleanliness from the 

 first, and the discharge should be continuously washed away with warm 

 water, and a soft sponge cut in the shape of a wedge, the sharpened edge 

 of which may be used to enter between the lids and thoroughly cleanse 

 all parts. In the milder cases, after carefully bathing the eye, a wash 

 made of borax and camphor water, ten grains of tbe former to an ounce 

 of the latter should be used freely, and as often as possible. Once a 

 day the following should be applied.— 



R Argent. Kit. gr.ij 

 Aquas Distil. gi 

 Ft. Mist. Sig. Eye wash. Apply with a camel's-hair brush. 

 To prevent the edges of the lids sticking together fresh lard can be used. 

 In severer cases the bowels of the animal should be freely moved by an 

 active purgative, and the diet reduced to milk, broths, and gruels. 



Confinement in a darkened room is essential, and constant, unremitting 

 care maybe necessary to save the deeper stx*uctures of the eye from injury. 

 The eye should be carefully washed out eveiy hour, and the borax and 

 camphor water used very freely. The nitrate of silver solution may be 

 introduced once daily, and in addition to this treatment there should be 

 dropped into the eye morning and night, a few drops of the following 

 mixture.— 



R AtropisB Sulph. gr.i 

 Aquae § ss 



Ft. Mist. Sig. Poison. Use with care. 

 After the fever has subsided the diet should be generous, and one grain 

 of quinine should be given four times daily, and if the animal becomes 

 debilitated, a dessertspoonful of cod liver oil should be mixed with his 

 food. 



Notwithstanding the most careful treatment of cases of acute ophthal- 

 mia some will pass into the chronic form of the disease. In which event 

 a cure is difficult, and recovery long delayed. The nitrate of siver solution . 

 should be persisted in, or the sulphate of zinc, of the same proportion, 

 substituted. Blisters to the temples should be applied, and by pure air and 

 ample exercise, the general health be improved. 



