DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 357 



CONJUNCTIVITIS SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA. 



This is an inflammation of the conjunctival mucous membrane of the 

 eyeball and lids; in severe cases the deeper coats of the eye become 

 involved, seriously complicating the attack. 



Causes. It may result from a bruise of the eyelid; from the intro- 

 duction of foreign matters into the eye, such as chaff, hayseed, dust, 

 gnats, etc.; from exposure to cold; poisonous or irritating vapors aris- 

 ing from filthiuess of stable. Dust, cinders, or sand blown into the 

 eyes during transportation frequently induce conjunctivitis. 



Symptoms. A profuse flow of tears, closure of the eyelids from intol- 

 erance to light, retraction of the eyeball and corresponding protrusion 

 of the haw, disinclination to move, diminution of milk secretion, etc. 

 On parting the lids the lining membrane is found injected with an excess 

 of blood, giving to it a red and swollen appearance; the sclerotic or 

 white of the eye is bloodshot and the cornea may be cloudy. If the 

 disease advances keratitis results, with its train of unfavorable symp- 

 toms. 



Treatment. Careful examination should be made to discover par- 

 ticles of chaff, etc., which may have lodged in the eye, and upon the 

 discovery of such a cause prompt removal is indicated. This may be 

 accomplished by flushing the eye with warm water by means of a 

 syringe, or if the foreign substance is adherent to the eyeball or lid it 

 may be scooped out with the handle of a teaspoon or some other blunt 

 instrument. To relieve the congestion and local irritation, a wash com- 

 posed of acetate of zinc, 5 grains to the ounce of pure soft water, may 

 be used, to which may be added twenty drops of laudanum. A few 

 drops of this should be placed in the eye with a camel's-hair pencil or 

 soft feather three or four times daily. The animal should be placed in 

 a cool, darkened stable, and then a cloth folded into several thicknesses 

 should be fastened to the horns in such a manner as to reach below the 

 eyes. This should be kept wet with cold water during the day and 

 removed at night. If there is much fever and constitutional disturbance 

 it becomes advisable to administer 1 pound of Epsom salts dissolved 

 in 1 quart of water. 



CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS SPECIFIC OPHTHALMIA. 



This generally appears in an enxootie form, and affects quite a num- 

 ber in the herd. It in usually attributed to some irritant material 

 carried in the atmosphere or emanating from the soil. It is most prev- 

 alent on low grounds, and in seldom HCCU in the winter months. It 

 affects old and young animals alike, but I have never witnessed a sec- 

 ond attack in the same animal, although it appeared among freshly- 

 introduced animals for several successive years. 



Symptoms. Catarrhal conjunctivitis is characterized chiefly by a 

 mucopurulent discharge of the eyes, an intense degree of intlnnmia- 



