442 SPECIFIC OPTHALMIA. 



Symptoms. — It is unnecessary, in a work like the present, 

 that I should detail every symptom in association with the above- 

 named peculiar type of Opthalmia ; I shall content myself with 

 merely pointing out the principal differences which exist be- 

 tween the specific and the common forms of the malady. 



Specific Opthalmia is distinguished from the common forms 

 of the disease principally by the following peculiarities : — 



I. — The disease is periodic in its attacks ; hence the 

 name which is sometimes given to it — Periodic Opthalmia. 



II. — It is generally manifested suddenly, and it is also 

 a metastatic affection ; that is, it may suddenly disappear, out 

 of one eye, and as suddenly appear in the other. 



III. — It is attended with more or less febrile commotion 

 of the system, especially at the onset of the disease. 



ly. — It generally passes into a chronic condition, in 

 which condition its duration is uncertain. Sometimes it 

 slowly disappears, and at other times it again suddenly takes 

 on the acute form. 



V. — It is rarely attended with that swollen condition 

 of the eyelids, or that excessive secretion of tears which 

 accompanies the more common forms of Opthalmia. 



YI. — It is prone to terminate in Cataract, and in com- 

 plete bHndness of one or both eyes. 



VII. — The predisposing causes of the disease are consti- 

 tutional ; and they are also hereditary. 



