180 KENNEL DISEASES. 
and a non-professional would not likely be able to discriminate between those 
cases which promise to run a mild and innocent course and those which threaten 
to seriously injure or destroy the eye ; consequently the treatment advised should 
be faithfully employed in all cases. 
CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS. 
The mucous membrane which covers the eyeball and lines the inner surface 
of the lids is called the conjunctiva, and inflammation of it conjunctivitis. 
Of this affection there are.several forms which can properly be considered 
herein, namely, the catarrhal, purulent, and chronic. 
Catarrhal conjunctivitis, which as a rule affects both eyes, is popularly known 
as a “cold in the eye.” It may be caused by long exposure to a strong wind, by 
dust or other irritating particles lodging in the eye, and by injuries, as scratches 
from twigs or bushes, and from blows. A plunge into very cold water or expo- 
sure in very bad weather may have the same effect; so, too, eyelashes which have 
turned inward and constantly come in contact with the eyeball. Acrid vapors, 
such as arise from the chloride of lime and a few other disinfectants, are also 
capable of producing it. In distemper this inflammation is manifested early; 
and it is apt to occur during the course of other intensely acute diseases. 
In simple rhinitis, with coryza, or cold in the head, and acute bronchitis, the 
conjunctiva generally shares in the catarrh of the air-passages; but seldom is it 
very severe in such cases or of other than short duration. 
An eye that is affected with catarrhal conjunctivitis presents the following 
appearance: It is more or less reddened, and the lining of the lids is of deeper 
red than normal. In extreme cases also it appears velvety. There is usually 
some swelling of the lids, and the mucus and tears flow in such quantities as to 
keep the eyes suffused. ‘The patient blinks and drops his head in strong light; 
and when there is considerable irritation and itching, he attempts to overcome it 
by rubbing his eyes with his paws. 
There are, however, various types of conjunctivitis. Thus, there may be 
merely a little mucus gathering in the corner of the eye, the same sticking the lids 
together, and so little redness that the existing inflammation is unappreciable 
except to the practised observer. 
In catarrh of the eyes, as in many other affections, there is a natural tendency 
to self-limitation and recovery; and when the attack is mild it may largely be 
left to nature, the medicinal treatment being limited to the application of simple 
cerate, vaselin, sweet-oil, or cold cream to the edge of the lids along the eyelashes, 
to prevent their sticking together. 
On the other hand, in a severe case, in which the lids are swollen and very 
