VERMINOUS OPHTHALMIA OF THE OX. 663 



Like ophthalmia, the disease attacks cattle reared in wet localities. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are those of acute conjunctivitis, and 

 consist first of lachrymation, then of injection of the blood-vessels of 

 the conjunctiva, together with swelling of the eyelids and photophobia. 

 The animals keep the eye closed, and display extreme sensitiveness. 

 Here again cocaine proves of value. 



Examination is rather difficult, the worms being sometimes dis- 

 placed towards the cornea or membrana nictitans, although more 

 commonly they remain hidden in the folds of the mucous membrane 

 towards the point where the membrana nictitans is inserted. It is, 

 therefore, necessary to thoroughly expose the folds of the mucous 

 membrane in order to discover them. 



In time conjunctivitis becomes complicated with diffuse ulceration, 

 keratitis, and sometimes with ophthalmia and suppuration of the eye. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis is rather troublesome, and cocaine is of 

 great assistance. 



Prognosis. This is rather grave. 



Treatment. The object of treatment is the complete removal of 

 the parasites. This can sometimes be attained by means of the finger, 

 a pair of forceps, or a very clean feather. 



Treatment is completed by injecting an antiseptic and anti- 

 parasitic eye lotion for several days, lest some of the worms should 

 remain hidden in the folds of the mucous membrane. One per 

 cent, creolin or 1 in 2,000 sublimate solution may be used. 



If in some exceptional case it is difficult to remove the parasites, 

 they may be got rid of by injections or free irrigation. The stream 

 of liquid, pointed in different directions, distends the mucous mem- 

 brane and washes away the foreign bodies on its surface. 



VERMINOUS OPHTHALMIA OF THE OX. 



This ophthalmia is due to the presence of a small worm, f of an 

 inch to 11 inches in length, which has been regarded as the larval 

 form of the Filaria cervina of the serous cavities. 



It is very common in animals which are kept permanently in low- 

 lying meadows particularly in some parts of France, as for instance 

 in Normandy, in the departments of the Sarthe and the Mayenne. 

 Not infrequently it occurs as an epizootic, and is then regarded as 

 a contagious ophthalmia. Verminous ophthalmia occurs chiefly 

 during the spring and autumn. 



Symptoms. The disease is accompanied by lachrymation, signs 

 of conjunctivitis, and fear of light. Very soon the media of the eye 

 become turbid, the sclerotic and cornea are injected, and finally 

 exhibit marked opalescence. 



