DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES 



115 



Fig. 252. Opacity of Cornea 



applied by gently pulling down the lower lid and dropping the fluid into 

 the eye by means of a camel's-hair pencil. 



When the affection is in the acute stage, a mild dose of physic should 

 be given at the outset, and fomentations of warm water applied to the 

 affected eyes, to be followed by an as- 

 tringent lotion when the inflammation 

 subsides. In cases where ophthalmia is 

 connected with febrile disease influenza 

 for example an important point is to 

 place the animal where the eyes will not 

 be irritated by too much light. The main 

 treatment, however, should be directed to 

 the cure of the systemic disease, and it may 

 be that no local remedies will be needed. 



The practice of bleeding from the eye-vein has for a long time been 

 discontinued. 



When ophthalmia assumes the purulent form it may be necessary to 

 apply a more powerful astringent lotion, and a solution of nitrate of 

 silver, three grains to the ounce of distilled water, is generally very 

 effective in altering the character of the discharge, 

 and in removing diphtheritic or granular deposit 

 which sometimes accumulates on the surface of the 

 membrane. 



Inflammation of the Cornea, "Keratitis".- 



Affections of the cornea include inflammation, which 

 is sometimes followed by suppuration, or the de- 

 velopment of " matter " between the layers of the 

 cornea, and ulceration. In all these morbid con- 

 ditions the conjunctiva necessarily participates. 



Inflammation of the cornea is invariably at- 

 tended with more or less opacity, and may even 

 proceed to the formation of an abscess, as it is 

 sometimes termed; but it is necessary to note that 

 the deposit of pus in the structure of the membrane is only indicated 

 by a diffused yellowness in certain parts of it, and not by the ordinary 

 form of swelling, gradual softening, and finally bursting of the sac and 

 discharge of its contents. It would, however, be expected that when- 

 ever pus is formed a permanent opacity of the cornea in that portion 

 will be the consequence (fig. 252). 



Ulceration of the cornea is not uncommon in the dog, in one form of 

 distemper, but it seldom occurs in the horse. 



Fig. 253. Staphyloma 

 A, The grape-like tumour. 



