Acute Catarrhal Conjunctivitis. 363 



Fever variable. Lesions : exudate : cell proliferation : papillae enlarged : 

 desquamation : swollen lymphoid bodies : hyperplasia : abscess : ulcer. 

 Treatment : remove cause, sterilized syringing, antiseptic and astringent 

 coUyria, sublimate, zinc sulphate, lead acetate, pyoktanin, silver nitrate, 

 morphia, atropia, cocaine, vaseline, cupping, leeching. 



Under this head may be noted the simple forms of conjuncti- 

 val inflammation, which result from direct injuries, irritant 

 gases from manure, smoke, very dry air, dust, pollen, and 

 in which no specific nor contagious element is a prominent 

 feature. Strictly speaking, all purulent conjunctivitis are prob- 

 abty infecting, as all may be held to be associated with the 

 presence of pus microbes. As early as 1864, de Graefe 

 said every inflammation of the conjunctiva which "secretes, 

 is inoculable and therefore transmissible, ' ' and Warlomont con- 

 curs, saying that ' ' conjunctival ophthalmias have one character in 

 common : all can produce a secretory product which, when brought 

 in contact with a sound conjunctiva; is capable of provoking 

 the different affections of this mucosa." The exposure of the 

 conjunctiva of man and beast alike, to the germs borne on the dust 

 or carried in liquids or on solids; renders this structure preemi- 

 nently susceptibile to infection, while the lachrymal and mucous 

 secretions furnish a favorable culture medium. Fortunately in 

 the lower animal the danger of infection is greatly reduced, since 

 there are comparatively few opportunities for the transference of 

 the germ through water, soap, sponge or towel, to which man is 

 exposed, not only in public lavatories but even in private families. 

 Thus in the animal the single case remains isolated and in a 

 sense sporadic, only because there have not been the means of 

 transferring and inoculating the morbid product. 



Causes. The contact of mechanical and chemical irritants of 

 all kinds, insects, seeds of graminese, chaff, particles of fodders, 

 barley and other awns and spikes, grains of sand, dust, quick- 

 lime, coal dust, smoke, hairs, blows with whips, canes, branches, 

 stubble, fences, etc. Also erosions caused by nails, claws, teeth, 

 and by falls must be considered. 



Irritant gases and vapors whether from accumulation of 

 manure in the stables, or from chemical products of fires and 

 factories are direct causes. The mere exposure for sometime 

 to the warm, dry air from a furnace is injurious to the mucosa, 



