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164 EYE6, DISEASES OF. 



Sulphate of ziuc a scruple 



A weak infusion of elm bark 6ounces 



Brandy I tea-spoonful. 



Sometimes the following- has moderated the irritation when 

 other applications have failed: — 



Tincture of opium half a dram 



Infusion of green tea 4 ounces. 



All exposure to strong light, or other sources of irritation, 

 as over-exercise, should be avoided. In very bad cases, I 

 have sometimes scarified the insides of the eyelids, and even 

 the white part of the eye itself, by means of the point of a 

 fine lancet, with very great benefit. 



In violent injuries of the eyes, such as blows, punctures of 

 thorns, or scratches from cats, a similar treatment should be 

 pursued, till the active inflammation has abated : after which, 

 should any opacity of the cornea remain, that is, should a 

 blueish dimness be left over the pupil, a small pinch of a 

 powder may be sprinkled into the eye once or twice a day, 

 composed of one scruple of sugar of lead, and one dram of 



calomel. 



Cataract is another disease to which the eyes of dogs are 

 liable. In the aged, cataracts are very common, from a 

 breaking up of the strength of the parts : nor are they very 

 uncommon in younger dogs, being sometimes the result of 

 some outward injury, or apparent cause : at others the com- 

 plaint is observed to come on gradually, as a slow chronic 

 affection of the organ: but there is this difference between 

 the disease in the old and the young, that, in the former, 

 both the eyes commonly become affected ; whereas, in the 

 latter, it is usually confined to one only. In all these cases 

 the before-described powder may be blown into the eye : 

 but it is very seldom that any treatment arrests the final ter- 

 mination in blindness. 



A dropsy of the eyeball now and then also occurs ; in which 

 case there is an extreme enlargement of the globe of the eye, 

 and an imperfect contraction of the iris. I once punctured 

 the scleiotic coat, and evacuated the water ; but great in- 



