374 BOVINE PATHOLOGY. 



its attachment to the capsule of the lens (both conditions 

 due to lymph extravasation), a jagged condition of its free 

 margin, and paralysis of its muscular structure, deposits 

 of lymph in the aqueous chamber, opacity of the cornea 

 of a temporary character, and constitutional irritability. 

 The symptoms are those of common ophthalmia of a severe 

 character, but on examination, the deeper structures of the 

 eye will be found to be the parts principally involved, and 

 those which are visible will be found altered more or less, 

 as above described. The attack is generally sudden, and 

 only one eye affected at a time. This disease leads to ca- 

 taract, atrophy, and thorough disorganisation of the eyeball. 



Treatment. — The same as for simple ophthalmia, and in 

 addition constitutional remedies, such as colchicum and 

 iodide of potassium. Is seldom amenable to treatment. 

 Animals thus affected, should be prepared for the butcher, 

 and should not be used for breeding purposes, for the 

 disease is certainly hereditary. 



Cataract. — Opacity of the lens, or of its capsule, or of 

 both these structures, may be circumscribed or diffused, 

 in the latter case it causes complete blindness. It is 

 caused by rheumatic ophthalmia, and sometimes by blows. 

 In the latter case it is a fracture of the lens, and is 

 generally a stellate opacity. 



Treatment in the lower animals is not likely to prove 

 beneficial. 



Amaurosis — Paralysis of the Retina — is denoted by per- 

 manent dilatation of the pupil (except when the iris is 

 influenced by sympathy with the other eye) and by a 

 greenish and transparent condition of the posterior part 

 of the eye. The primary lesion may be in the cranium 

 as when a tumour presses on the optic nerve, along the 

 extracranial portion of the nerve as injury or com- 

 pression, or in the retina as in cases of depositions of 

 lymph in it as a result of inflammation. It also some- 

 times depends upon debility and excessive loss of blood. 

 It is not frequent in the ox. When due to compression 

 or structural change^ nothing can be done which will 

 be likely to effect a cure. That form due to debility is 



