DISEASES OF THE EYE. 305 



third eyelid (" haw "), and lachrymal ducts are more espe- 

 cially the protective apparatus of the eye, and affections of 

 some of these parts are common. 



Diseases of the Protective Apparatus of the Eye. — Kot 

 infrequently, especially after distemper, the eyebrows and 

 eyelids are affected with a troublesome eczema, which 

 must be treated on the general principles that apply to 

 that disease. 



Occasionally, particularly in neglected, ill-fed dogs and 

 after distemper, the edges of the lids also tend to inflame 

 and remain in a condition of chronic irritation, leading to 

 exudation, scabs, loss of eyelashes, etc. 



The condition does not always yield readily to treat- 

 ment. The lids should be bathed with warm, soothing 

 lotions, as boric acid and laudanum, dried, and anointed 

 with vaseline, while attention is paid in every way to the 

 general health and the surroundings. 



If this simple treatment is not effective, it may be 

 necessary to apply a mercurial ointment, either the red 

 oxide-of -mercury ointment (pink ointment), three grains to 

 one drachm of vaseline, or, better, the officinal nitrate-of- 

 mercury ointment (citrine ointment), one drachm to one 

 ounce of vaseline. 



As these are very irritating to the eye, they should be 

 confined to the lids. All mercurial ointments kill para- 

 sites which occasionally attach themselves to the edges 

 of the lids. When such preparations are used it is 

 most important that no other dog get near the patient, 

 as he might lick them off and be poisoned with mer- 

 cury, which in the dog happens readily and is very 

 fatal. 



