610 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OP THE OX. 



rapidly, and there is great risk of a fatal issue. Danger also 

 arises from the fact that sheep, when affected with the com- 

 plaint, being unable to see, may fall into ponds, rivers, or 

 ditches, from which they have not the power of extricating them- 

 selves. The malady apparently results from exposure, whereby 

 inflammation of the conjunctiva and the cornea is occasioned, 

 and it is to be remarked that " the blind " more frequently 

 occurs at the latter end of the year and after a wet season, when 

 the grass is rich, than at other times. Possibly it may be due 

 to a micro-organism. 



With regard to the symptoms of the disorder, it may be 

 observed that the animal suffering from it shows a great deal of 

 weeping from one or both eyes, and that the eye or eyes cannot 

 bear strong light. After about forty-eight hours have elapsed, 

 the inflammation itself will be seen to be of a less marked 

 character, and the eyes to be covered with a greyish film which 

 completely shuts out rays of light. In fact, so devoid of the 

 capability of seeing are the sheep, that if once they become 

 separated from the rest of the flock, they cannot find their com- 

 rades again, except by the power of hearing. This total 

 blindness continues for several days, until at length, if the case 

 terminates favourably, the film which interrupts the eyesight 

 gradually clears away, and the visual organ once more regains 

 its normal powers. 



With reference to the treatment to be adopted in the case of 

 sheep suffering from '* the blind,'' the first point is that the 

 affected sheep should be taken as soon as possible to a dark 

 shed or other sheltered place from which the light is excluded, 

 and where the air is kept quite pure by means of good ventilation 

 without draughts. Good nutritious food should be supplied, 

 and a lump of rock-salt should be suitably placed in the 

 trough from which the animals take their food. It has been 

 recommended that a little tar should be placed around the outer 

 margin of the eye, and that this application should be renewed 

 after four days have elapsed. A little ointment of salicylic acid 

 may be employed instead of tar. Again, others have recom- 

 mended that a little common salt, after having been made 

 perfectly dry by means of being heated, should be placed in a quill 

 and then blown into the eye — i.e, on to the inflamed surfaces. 



The most effectual treatment consists in the application of a 



