344 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



CONJUNCTIVITIS (SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA). 



This is an inflammation of the conjunctival mucous membrane of the 

 eyeball and lids ; in severe cases the deeper coats of the eye become 

 involved, seriously complicating the attack. 



Causes. — It may result from a bruise of the eyelid; from the intro- 

 duction of foreign matters into the eye, such as chaff, hayseed, dust, 

 gnats, etc. ; from exposure to cold ; poisonous or irritating vapors aris- 

 ing from nlthiness of stable. Dust, cinders, or sand blown into the 

 eyes during transportation frequently induce conjunctivitis. 



Symptoms. — A profuse flow of tears, closure of the eyelids from 

 intolerance of light, retraction of the eyeball and corresponding pro- 

 trusion of the haw, disinclination to move, diminution of milk secre- 

 tion, etc. On parting the lids the lining membrane is found injected 

 with an excess of blood, giving to it a red and swollen appearance; 

 the sclerotic, or white of the eye, is bloodshot and the cornea may be 

 cloudy. If the disease advances, keratitis results, with its train of 

 unfavorable symptoms. 



Treatment. — Careful examination should be made to discover par- 

 ticles of chaff, etc., which may have lodged in the eye, and upon the 

 discovery of such a cause prompt removal is indicated. This may be 

 accomplished by flushing the eye with warm water by means of a 

 syringe, or, if the foreign substance is adherent to the eyeball or lid, it 

 maybe scooped out with the handle of a teaspoon or some other blunt 

 instrument. To relieve the congestion and local irritation, a wash 

 composed of boracic acid in freshly boiled water, 20 grains to the 

 ounce, or acetate of zinc, 5 grains to the ounce of pure soft water, 

 may be used, to which may be added 20 drops of laudanum. A 

 few drops of this should be placed in the eye with a camel's-hair pen- 

 cil or soft feather three or four times daily. The animal should be 

 placed in a cool, darkened stable, and then a cloth folded into several 

 thicknesses should be fastened to the horns in such a manner as to 

 reach below the eyes. This should be kept wet with cold water dur- 

 ing the day and removed at night. If there is much fever and con- 

 stitutional disturbance it becomes advisable to administer 1 pound of 

 Epsom salts dissolved in 1 quart of water. 



INFECTIOUS CATARRHAL CONJUNCTIVITIS (SPECIFIC OPHTHALMIA). 



This generally appears in an enzootic or epizootic form, and affects 

 quite a number in the herd. It is distinctly a contagious disease and 

 may be brought into a previously healthy herd by one animal with 

 sore eyes. It may contin ue in a herd for a season or for several years, 

 affecting all newly purchased animals. It is seldom seen in the win- 

 ter months. It affects old and young animals alike. 



Symptoms.— This form of catarrhal conjunctivitis is characterized 

 chiefly by a mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, an intense degree 



