220 Hounds 



that usually ends in disorganization of the eyesight. 

 In the horse there is a corresponding affection, equally 

 destructive in its effects. Probably many will 

 object to the use of this term " specific," so far as 

 applicable to ophthalmia in the dog, but the writer is 

 convinced that the term is justifiable; but whether 

 it ought to be regarded as an ocular manifestation of 

 distemper, or as an affection apart from that malady, 

 it is difficult to determine. In any case its pro- 

 gressive and disastrous effects are well known to 

 those having any acquaintance with this affection. 

 Both eyes are usually affected, and the disease is 

 characterized by inflammation of the eyes, intolerance 

 to light, weeping, injection of the blood-vessels of 

 the eyeball, opacity of the cornea, followed by ulcera- 

 tion of it at one or more points; commonly the 

 cornea is perforated by the ulcer, and the aqueous 

 humour escapes. Whenever there is an attempt at 

 repair this seems to be overshadowed by secondary 

 attacks, until the sight is finally destroyed. A 

 modification of recurrent ophthalmia does occur in 

 distemper, commonly in one eye, but this seems to 

 be of a milder type than the one now under discus- 

 sion. Many M.F.H.'s will be acquainted with the 

 malignant eye trouble alluded to, and know what an 

 undesirable affection this is. So far as the writer's 

 experience goes, any treatment is of very little use, 

 and it is questionable whether it is economical to 



