634 THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



One common cause of ophthalmia is the dog's being allowed to sleep in a draught, or 

 exposed to wet and cold, after having had violent exercise. 



Symptoms. The symptoms of ophthalmia may be either mild or severe ; in the former case 

 there is evident pain and intolerance of light, the eyes are closed or nearly so, and the eye-lids 

 more or less swollen. There is, moreover, an increased flow of tears, and if the eyes are examined 

 they will be found very red and inflamed. In simple cases there is but little constitutional 

 disturbance, although the animal is duller than usual. 



In traumatic ophthalmia, or that caused by injury of any sort, the inflammation is much more 

 severe, and the discharge becomes as a rule puriform and abundant, and the eye is completely 

 closed. 



In more severe forms of idiopathic ophthalmia there is not only abundant secretion of tears 

 at first, but the inflammation runs a speedy course. The eyelids here are much swollen and 

 often glued together with pus. There is, moreover, much constitutional disturbance, with hot 

 nose and mouth, constipation, and high-coloured urine. In some cases, as in distemper, after the 

 eyes can be opened a film seems to be spread over the eye, which, being merely an exudation, 

 gradually disappears as the eye gets well. It should not be cauterised, as this process might lead 

 to disintegration of the cornea. Ulcers, too, are sometimes seen on the cornea, but these also 

 soon heal under the mild treatment which we are about to propose. 



Treatment. In the milder cases of ophthalmia very little treatment will be required, beyond 

 keeping the dog at rest for a few days in his kennel, on rather lower diet, and giving (unless 

 the dog is very weak) a purgative each morning an ordinary dose of Epsom salts. The only 

 local remedy required will be a drop or two of the vinittn opii, or a mild alum eye-wash, or 

 a lotion of two grains of nitrate of silver to an ounce of distilled water. 



In ophthalmia from a wound, blow, or injury, our object is to subdue the inflammation, and 

 local treatment alone will be required. Be careful to examine the eye, and if any foreign matter 

 is found it must be removed. It will usually be found adhering to the eye-lid internally, and a 

 camel's-hair pencil will be the best instrument to use. Afterwards nature, aided by hot 

 fomentations or astringent lotions, will complete the cure. 



In more severe cases of ophthalmia we must set about without loss of time to endeavour 

 to subdue the inflammation, in order to prevent ulceration or sloughing. It is not necessary to 

 weaken the dog much, but begin with the same brisk purgative recommended in the more simple 

 form of the disorder. We never bleed, but a small blister behind the ear often does good. Let 

 the animal be kept in a darkened room, and apply over each eye a pledget of lint, which must be 

 kept wet with decoction of poppy-heads, or a lotion of the wine of opium (vinum opii}, one 

 drachm to three ounces of water. To prevent the adhesion of the iris to the cornea, we employ 

 the sulphate of atropia, four grains to one ounce of distilled water ; one or two drops of this 

 solution into each eye every morning or evening, if need be. The alum lotion ought to be used 

 every hour. If spots or little ticks of ulceration appear on the cornea, use the nitrate of silver 

 \o\\on, four grains to the ounce. If there is much restlessness at night, either tincture of henbane 

 or chloral hydrate may be used. We prefer the former to opium, in doses from ten drops to 

 a drachm or two drachms. 



Give low diet at first, and afterwards that is, as soon as the inflammation is subdued keep 

 the strength well up with beef-tea, soups, raw meat, and port wine. 



Complete the cure with tonics, and that most invaluable adjunct cod-liver oil, or extract 

 of malt for Toy dogs. Take care how you expose the dog for some weeks after, either to sun 

 or cold or wet 



