CONJUNCTIVITIS 513 



appearance. The amount of pus present is more or less 

 characteristic. The eye is often entirely filled with a thick, 

 whitish, glutinous pus, which becomes dried around the 

 palpebral borders and forms crusts frequently agglutinating 

 the eyelids. On account of the spread of the infection to the 

 cornea, this organ becomes cloudy or even ulcerated. Owing 

 to the irritant action of the pus the animal will show con- 

 siderable pain, scratch and rub the eyes either with the paws 

 or against objects. The membrana nictitans is red and 

 protrudes over a portion of the eyeball. Most cases show 

 considerable photophobia. 



General.— General symptoms are noted in many cases in 

 the form of dulness, loss of appetite and general weakness. 

 There may be sufficient infection to produce general intoxica- 

 tion and death in birds. In these cases, however, it is quite 

 likely that the infection is found in other parts of the body. 



Prognosis.— The prognosis is not always favorable. Due 

 to complications, which may involve the eyeball, partial or 

 total blindness can result. While many cases terminate in 

 complete resolution, others produce ulcerations and perfora- 

 tions of the cornea. When the latter occurs panophthalmitis 

 is the result. In some animals, particularly birds, this would 

 seriously interfere with the obtaining of food. When para- 

 sites are the cause of the condition other complications 

 follow, such as infestation of the nasal passages and sinuses, 

 and in some cases invasion of the air sacs. 



Treatment.— Thorough disinfection of the premises, houses, 

 etc., should be practised in order to prevent the spread of the 

 infection. This can be accomplished either by the use of 

 liquor cresolis compositus (3 per cent.) with which all places 

 and articles in contact with the animals are thoroughly 

 saturated, or the animals are removed from the house or 

 kennel which is then disinfected with formaldehyd fumes. 



The general condition of the patient must be considered 

 and its strength maintained by good, nourishing food and 

 such tonics as tincture of gentian, or tincture of nux vomica 

 (0.2-0.4 twice daily). A solution of iron sulphate (2 per 

 cent.) in the drinking water has proved of value as a tonic 

 for birds. 

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