Diseases of the Eye. | 183 
the head, producing immediate paralysis, or giving rise to 
inflammatory action, extravasation of blood, the formation 
of tumour, and ultimate suspension of nerve force. 
Extreme debility, either from disease, hemorrhage, pro- 
longed lactation or anzmia, may also be associated with 
amaurosis. 
Symptoms.—The defect in vision may be gradual or sud- 
den. Obstructions are not seen until the animal is close 
upon or touches them. The gait is peculiarly diagnostic 
of sight affection. An uncertain feeling action is observed 
in locomotion. The creature relies to a great extent upon 
the sense of smell, and snuffs 'the air as he moves about. 
Eventually the function of sight becomes totally lost. 
The eye is clear (unnaturally so) and bright, hence the 
Arabic term “ gutta serena ”—clear drops. No irritability 
in the organ is observed, except occasionally at the com- 
mencement of the disease, but on the contrary, the brightest 
light is of no effect. The pupil is dilated, and the eye has’ 
a more or less vacant expression. One or both eyes may 
be affected, according to the seat and extent of the 
injury, or from sympathy, which is exercised to a great 
degree in eye affections, and in amaurotic ones generally 
in the end involves both. 
Treatment is unfortunately of little avail, and can only 
be adopted with any degree of success in the early stage of 
_ the malady. An active seton in the poll, strong iodine 
liniment around the outside of the orbits, or blisters ; and, 
internally, strychnia or nux vomica, are the measures indi- 
cated. The general health of the patient should be looked 
to, a liberal diet allowed, with moderate exercise. 
IRITIS. 
Inflammation of the iris, or colouring membrane of the 
eye, is not unfrequent in the dog. It may proceed from 
injury, or deep-seated ophthalmic inflammation. 
