DISEASES OF THE EYE AND ITS APPENDAGES. 357 



INFECTIOUS CATARRHAL CONJUNCTrSITIS (SPECIFIC OPHTHALMIA). 



This generally appears in an enzootic or epizootic form, and affects 

 quite a number in the herd. It is distinctly a contagious disease and 

 may be brought into a previously healthy herd by one animal ^vith 

 sore eyes. It may continue in a herd for a season or for several 

 years, affecting all newly purchased animals. It is seldom seen in 

 the winter months. It affects old and young animals alike. 



Symptoms. — This form of catarrhal conjunctivitis is characterized 

 chiefly by a mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, an intense degree 

 of inflammation of the mucous membrane, accompanied by swelling 

 of the eyelids and an early opacity of the cornea. The flow of tears 

 is mixed with pus, sometimes streaked with blood, and the skin of the 

 face is kept moist and soiled. The eyes are kept continually closed. 

 The implication of the cornea in the disease frequently blinds the 

 animal for a time, and occasionally suppurative keratitis, ulcers of 

 the cornea, or staphyloma superv ene. The attack is marked from the 

 onset by fever, partial loss of appetite, partial loss of milk, suspended 

 rumination, and separation from the herd. 



Treatment. — The animal should be housed in a cool, dark stable, 

 supplied with plenty of fresh water to drink and soft succulent food. 

 Administer 1 pound of Epsom salt — if a very large animal, use 1^ 

 poimds — dissolved in 2 or 3 pints of water. For an eyewash take 

 boracic acid, 1 dram, and pour 4 ounces of boiling water over it. Use 

 this wash as often as convenient, applying it directly to the eye. In 

 the majority of cases improvement becomes manifest in a few days, 

 and the eye will become clear and free from inflammation in 10 days 

 or 2 weeks. "\ATiere the disease develops ulceration of the coraea, 

 or well-marked, deep-seated keratitis, the treatment recommended for 

 those conditions should be adopted. 



Pretention. — "Wlienever this affection appeai-s in a herd all the 

 unaffected animals should be moved to another locality — that is. to 

 fields which possess a different character of soil and feed. The water 

 should also be changed, especially if they have been obtaining their 

 drinking water fix)m a stagnant pond. 



KERATITIS ( CORXEITIS ) . 



This is an inflammation of the cornea proper, although the sclero- 

 tic at the coiTieal border becomes involved to some extent. It may 

 be divided into diffuse and suppurative. 



Causes. — The cornea constitutes the most prominent portion of the 

 eyeball, hence it is subject to a variety of injuries — scratches, pricks, 

 contusions, lacerations, etc. Inflammation of the cornea may also be 



