DISEASES OF THE EYE. 397 



discharge of any kind, to the extreme redness, swelling, 

 and purulent discharge of ophthalmia. 



We have very often to deal with a catarrh of the con- 

 junctiva akin to that of the nose during and after distem- 

 per as well as from general disorder of the digestive tract 

 or the economy as a whole. 



This catarrh may be regarded as a conjunctivitis, 

 which, according to the symptoms, may be acute, sub- 

 acute, or chronic, and is to be considered apart from oph- 

 thalmia. 



Diagnosis. In influenza the discharge is nearly al- 

 ways thin, especially for some days. In the catarrh of 

 distemper, etc., it is thin at first, but soon becomes muco- 

 purulent. 



Ophthalmia. The local symptoms are very severe, 

 especially in the worst form, the lids being swollen (cedem- 

 atous), the conjunctiva very red, thickened, tender, and 

 the seat of a copious purulent discharge. It is a violent 

 inflammation of the mucous membrane, affecting more or 

 less the whole eye sympathetically (reflexly, etc.). 



There is pain, intolerance of light (photophobia), febrile 

 symptoms, and general disturbance. Damp, dark, un- 

 healthy kennels, bad feeding, etc., are predisposing causes. 



There is difference of opinion as to how far purulent 

 ophthalmia is contagious or infectious. However, it is 

 practically better to assume that it is very liable to attack 

 other dogs in the kennel, and accordingly to remove the 

 sufferer to a quiet, comfortable, but somewhat darkened, 

 place by himself. 



Treatment. The indications are to allay pain and irri- 

 tation both by local and constitutional measures. 



