DISEASES OF THE EYE. Ba 
et. tly organic than all other diseases ; for not only can no change 
tske place in the composition of the blood without in some -le- 
gree affecting all parts which are nourished by it, but that tnis 
fluid is, strictly speaking, itself a living organism, and every 
change which takes place therein is organic. Life can not be 
arrested without material change in the organs necessary to life. 
Every autopsy in which we fail to discover these changes, provea 
merely that our knowledge of life and death is defective, not that 
the changes do not exist.” 
PURULENT OPHTHALMIA. 
Purulent ophthalmia takes its name from the profuse discharge 
of pus, or matter, which escapes from the eyelids. In regard to 
the human subject, the authorities contend that there are several 
varieties of this malady prevalent in man, one of which, the Egypt- 
ian ophthalmia, is contagious; but no such disease was ever known 
to occur among horses. 
Causes.—The various maladies which affect the eyes sometimes 
owe their origin 10 accidents; at other times they occur in badly 
ventilated stables, where a large number of horses are congregated 
together, and t}en they are supposed to be contagious. But it arm 
pears that there is no necessity, in such case, to advance the theory 
of contagion. by way of explanation of the outbreak; for the same 
cause whicl: »roduced the malady in the first horse would be more 
at less operative in all the rest. A hot, foul atmosphere as a 
very had effect on the eyes of both men and horses. The mem- 
brane lining the eyelids, which also covers the eyeball, is very vas- 
cular and sensitive, and is extremely susceptible to irritation from 
the action of the ammoniacal gases which prevail in foul stables ; 
hence, in order to prevent the disease, proper attention must be 
paid to ventilation and cleanliness, ° 
Treatment.—For the treatment of purulent ophthalmia tae au 
thor recommends the following lotion: 
No. 3. Powdered chlorate of potass.....+0+- a 4 02. 
Fluid extract of matico.......... ee os. 
Waters siseatcaconcs se indians Wega Jel ete 8 oz 
Mix. 
A portion of this lotion should be applied to the eyes, by meanr 
of a soft sponge, two or three times a day: the eves as well en th 
