94 CANINE DISTEMPER 
extremely congested and swollen, and photophobia is in- 
tense; the eye at this stage is very frequently affected 
with a vascular keratitis, and in some instances becomes 
further complicated with panophthalmia. 
The ulcerated condition of the cornea is a fairly common 
occurrence in distemper, the lesion being located usually 
in the centre as a small shallow depression, varying in 
size from that of a pin’s point to 33, inch. It may havea 
traumatic origin—inflicted by the patient itself—or may 
have been preceded by small vesicles which later burst, 
leaving the cornea thinned at this spot. We know, how- 
ever, from clinical experience, that corneal ulcers some- 
times occur in the absence of any of these exciting causes ; 
thus we should not be dogmatic in expressing an opinion. 
If the ulcers are neglected, one not infrequently finds 
that incomplete perforation takes place, with a resulting 
hernia of Descemet’s membrane. 
Staphyloma.—As a further complication, this membrane 
may now become pervious and a quantity of the aqueous 
fluid be lost through the aperture, causing in its turna 
prolapse of the iris. This condition is termed staphyloma. 
It is a debatable point as to whether sight is ever 
regained after this grave condition, and I believe the 
most favourable termination would be the retention of 
only a very blurred vision. Whilst an uncomplicated 
ulcer usually clears up quite well, leaving no trace of its 
previous existence, a staphyloma is often the forerunner 
of a permanent disfigurement in the shape of cataract of 
the lens, or irreducible corneal opacity with partial or 
total loss of sight, or panophthalmitis with probable total 
extirpation of the eyeball. 
Panophthalmitis—Panophthalmitis is an inflammation 
of all the tissues or structures of the eyeball, and is a 
very grave complication indeed. Intense pain is pro- 
duced and the eyelids are constantly closed. Accumula- 
