534 DISEASES OF THE CORNEA 



Treatment.— Flush the corneal surface with a mild anti- 

 septic solution (boric acid, 2 per cent.; ichthyol, 2 per cent.). 

 If pain is present, drop into the eye a small amount of cocain, 

 stovain or alypin solution, to reduce the irritation and 

 prevent further injury by the patient rubbing or scratching 

 the affected eye. This treatment will control the general 

 infection preventing further spread of the ulcer. Where pus 

 formation is copious (blennorrhea) an autogenic vaccine 

 may be prepared and used in conjunction with the other 

 treatment. 



Direct treatment of the ulcer requires judgment and care. 

 Careful curetting followed by applying protargol solution 

 (5 per cent.) is recommended. Good results have followed 

 the use of succus cineraria maritima compositus (50 per cent.) . 



When the ulcer shows a tendency to perforate an anti- 

 septic pack should be applied to the eye (eyelids closed), 

 and a head bandage to hold it in place. This will exert 

 outside pressure and may prevent perforation, permitting in 

 the meantime new formed granulation tissue to strengthen 

 the defect. Lead and silver solutions should not be used 

 too strong on account of the danger of permanent deposits 

 resulting. Treatment should be applied daily. 



Abscess of the Cornea.— Definition.— A collection of pus in 

 the cornea. Corneal abscesses are very common in dogs. 



Etiology.— Infection with pus organisms usually through 

 wounds or abrasions. Foreign bodies, bites and scratches 

 pave the way for an infection which results in abscess. 

 Corneal abscesses commonly result from distemper of the 

 dog and cat, and epitheliosis in birds. 



Symptoms.— The first symptoms noted are discharge of 

 pus from the affected eye, photophobia, and a tendency to 

 rub the eye with the paws. On examination a yellow, 

 sharply defined abscess from the size of a pin-point to a wheat 

 grain or larger is noted near the center of the cornea. The 

 cornea surrounding the abscess may be transparent but is 

 often turbid. As the abscess ages new formed bloodvessels 

 are projected from the corneal bloodvessels across the cornea 

 to the abscess. Surrounding the abscess a bloodvessel 

 appears. If the abscess is large, or a number of small 



