DISEASES OP THE EYE. 311 



It is recognized by an alteration in the appearance and 

 mobility of the structure. It assumes a dirty hue; the 

 pupil may be contracted, or very irregular in shape. 



Treatment. — Counter-irritation to the back of the 

 head, atropine dropped into the eye frequently, and regu- 

 lation of the general health. 



Cata/ract is a whitish opacity of the crystalline lens, 

 and may be either complete or partial. As the light is 

 thus shut out, the eye is more or less useless. 



It is rare in young dogs, but not uncommon in old 

 ones. 



The lens may be removed, as in man, but the sight is 

 rather imperfect without glasses, which we fear even the 

 most intelligent dog could scarcely be induced to wear. 



If only incipient, attention should be paid to the gen- 

 eral health by tonics, etc., to prevent its increase. 



AmauTosis and Ainblyojpia are terms used to indicate 

 blindness without obvious alterations in the structure of 

 the eye. 



In all such cases an ophthalmoscopic examination of 

 the eye should be made by an expert. 



The causation is obscure, but irritation from worms in 

 the digestive tract, defective action of the liver, exhaustive 

 diseases, etc., seem to be associated in some cases. 



The presence of hrain disease should be suspected in 

 alterations of the pupils, squint, photophobia, loss of vision, 

 etc., when other cause is not obvious. 



The possibility of parasites lodging within the eye is 

 not to be forgotten. The treatment of amaurosis must be 

 in accordance with the cause and general condition of the 

 animal. No local treatment is likely to be of any use. 



