512 DISEASES OF THE CONJUNCTIVA 



the first few days. Follow each application of boric acid 

 with an instillation of one of the following solutions: Zinc 

 sulphate (1-1§ per cent.) ; tannic acid (1-2 per cent.) ; chinosol 

 (1-500); protargol (2-4 per cent.); or if the condition is 

 persistent solution of silver nitrate (0.5 per cent.). 



The animal should be isolated and the premises disinfected 

 to avoid spreading the disease. 



Purulent Conjunctivitis. — Blennorrhea.— Acute Form.— 

 Definition.— A purulent secretion present in one or both eyes. 

 In this condition the discharge is more copious and the 

 inflammation more intense than in catarrhal conjunctivitis. 

 Purulent conjunctivitis results very frequently from or 

 accompanies distemper of dogs and cats, and epitheliosis in 

 fowls. It often occurs as an epizootic or enzootic in kittens 

 and puppies. Both the acute and chronic forms of the 

 disease are frequently met with in practice. 



Etiology.— The majority of cases can be determined quite 

 definitely to be due to infection accompanying or following 

 infectious diseases. It is very common in dog distemper, 

 cat distemper, and epitheliosis in birds. Various kinds of 

 organisms have been isolated from the discharge but none 

 of them has been proved to be the specific cause. The 

 fact that large numbers of puppies, kittens or fowls are 

 affected, when closely associated, indicates the communicable 

 character of the disease. It is possible to have this form of 

 conjunctivitis follow the catarrhal, owing to the reduced 

 resistance of the membrane which allows secondary infection 

 to develop. It is, however, possible that many cases are 

 produced in fowls and in some of the other animals by a 

 parasite. Several species of parasites have been isolated 

 from the conjunctival sac of birds. 



Newly born animals contract the disease from the vaginal 

 infection of the mother at the time of parturition. 



Symptoms.— The conjunctival membrane is of an intense 

 red color and more or less uniform over its entire surface. 

 The degree of redness depends upon the severity of the 

 infection and the stage of development. In many cases the 

 mucous membrane is prominent from the edematous swelling 

 resulting from the irritation, thus giving it a "pouching out" 



