442 sPEOirio opihalmia. 



Symptoms. — It is unnecessary, in a work like the present, 

 that I should detail every symptom in association with the 

 above-named peculiar type of Opthalmia ; I shall content my- 

 self with merely pointing out the principal diiferences which 

 exist between the specific and the common forms of the malady. 



Specific Opthalmia is distinguished from the common forms 

 of the disease principally by the following peculiarities : — 



I. — The disease is periodic in its attacks ; hence the 

 name which is sometimes given to it — Periodic Opthalmia. 



II. — It is generally manifested suddenly, and it is also 

 a metastatic affection ; that is, it may suddenly disappear, out 

 of one eye, and as suddenly appear iii the other. 



III. — It is attended with more or less febrile commotion 

 of the system, especially at the onset of the disease. 



IV. — It generally passes into a chronic condition, in 

 which condition its duration is uncertain. Sometimes it slowly 

 disappears, and at other times it again suddenly takes on 

 the acute form. 



V. — It is rarely attended with that swollen condition 

 of the eyelids, or that excessive secretion of tears which accom- 

 panies the more common forms of Opthalmia. 



VI. — It is prone to terminate in Cataract, and in com- 

 plete blindness of one or both eyes. 



VII. — The predisposing causes of the disease are consti- 

 tutional ; and they are also hereditary. 



