Diseases of the Eye. 183 



the head, producing immediate paralysis, or giving rise to 

 inflammatory action, extravasation of blood, the formation 

 of tumour, and ultimate suspension of nerve force. 



Extreme debility, either from disease, haemorrhage, pro- 

 longed lactation or anaemia, may also be associated with 

 amaurosis. 



Symptoms. — The defect in vision may be gradual or sud- 

 den. Obstructions are not seen until the animal is close 

 upon or touches them. The gait is peculiarly diagnostic 

 of sight affection. An uncertain feeling action is observed 

 in locomotion. The creature relies to a great extent upon 

 the sense of smell, and snuffs the air as he moves about. 



Eventually the function of sight becomes totally lost. 

 The eye is clear (unnaturally so) and bright, hence the 

 Arabic term " gutta serena " — clear drops. No irritability 

 in the organ is observed, except occasionally at the com- 

 mencement of the disease, but on the contrary, the brightest 

 light is of no effect. The pupil is dilated, and the eye has 

 a more or less vacant expression. One or both eyes may 

 be affected, according to the seat and extent of the 

 injury, or from sympathy, which is exercised to a great 

 degree in eye affections, and in amaurotic ones generally 

 in the end involves both. 



Treatment is unfortunately of little avail, and can only 

 be adopted with any degree of success in the early stage of 

 the malady. An active seton in the poll, strong iodine 

 liniment around the outside of the orbits, or blisters ; and, 

 internally, strychnia or nux vomica, are the measures indi- 

 cated. The general health of the patient should be looked 

 to, a liberal diet allowed, with moderate exercise. 



IRITIS. 



Inflammation of the iris, or colouring membrane of the 

 eye, is not unfrequent in the dog. It may proceed from 

 injury, or deep-seated ophthalmic inflammation. 



