XVIII. 



DISEASES OF THE EYES. 



SIMPLE OPTHALMIA 



Is caused by a blow, as a stroke of the whip, a foreign body in 

 the eye, amnioniacal vapors from filthy stables, extremes of heat 

 and cold, or sudden alterations of temperature. 



Symptoms. — A closure of the eye, copious flow of tears, the 

 eye retracted from the ligbt, the pupil dilated, and there may be 

 some swelling. The conjunctiva is covered ly a number of red 

 streaks. The flow of tears may after awhile be followed by a dis- 

 charge of a purulent character, which ceases after awhile, and 

 is in turn succeeded by a film between the layers of the cornia. 

 The exudate soon disappears by absorption. Simple opthalmia is 

 said to occur in an epizootic form. 



Treatment. — Find out the cause; if a foreign body is in the 

 eye it must be removed. The irritation should be allayed by 

 warm fomentations in the winter and cold in the summer. The 

 eye should be fomented with warm water for ten minutes, and 

 a decoction of hops, placed in a little bag, applied to the eye and 

 allowed to remain several hours at a time. This should be re- 

 peated three times a day. The animal should be placed in a 

 darkened stable free from ammoniacal vapors. A decoction of 

 poppy heads, when they can be procured, is very beneficial. Zinc 

 sulphate, drachm one; opium tinct., ounce one; belladonna 

 tincture, ounce one; water, six ounces, should be applied to the 

 lids of the eye as well as the eye itself three times a day, by 

 means of a little piece of sponge. If this treatment be carried 

 out the eye will soon recover, if it can be saved. 



In some cases it may be necessary to reduce the congestio-n of 

 the vessels by local bleeding from the angular veins situated on 



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