310 The Care of Animals 



gradually becomes more marked. The attacks recur 

 periodically, a few weeks or a few months apart. 



The disease runs its course to total and permanent 

 blindness. The blindness can be greatly delayed 

 by careful treatment. During an attack, the horse 

 should be placed in a darkened stall, and the same 

 treatment given as for simple ophthalmia. In addition 

 to this, iodid of potash, in one -dram doses, should be 

 given internally as a drench once daily for four or five 

 days, then withheld for an equal time, and repeated. 

 Quinine, in dram doses twice daily, is also beneficial. 



Catarrhal Conjunctivitis , " Pijik - eye " 



Pink-eye is a contagious inflammation of the conjunc- 

 tiva (the transparent covering of the eyeball), attacking 

 horses, especially toward the spring of the year. This 

 disease affects the whole system , more particularly the 

 mucous membranes. It is a sort of influenza. There 

 is a tendency for pregnant mares afldicted with it to 

 abort. 



The eyes are red, with a thick, mueo -purulent dis- 

 charge. The appetite is slight, the bowels are consti- 

 pated, and the temperature rises to 103° or 104°. 



Isolate the horse and disinfect the stall with creolin, 

 or a 5 per cent solution of carbolic acid. Blanket the 

 animal and keep him warm and comfortable. Give gruels 

 and mashes for nourishment, and to loosen the bowels ; 

 also give a heaping teaspoonful of nitrate of potash dis- 

 solved in water, twice daily, to stimulate the kidneys 

 and reduce the fever. Bathe the eves with hot water 



