Recurrent Ophthalmia in Solipeds. Moonblindness. 421 



This speaks strongly for a microbian origin either as the 

 essential cause, or as an accessory factor hardly less essential. 



In severe cases, rest is imperative until the violence of the in- 

 flammation shall have abated, and a dark stall or a cloth to ob- 

 scure the light is equally important. 



Trasbot advises bleeding from the jugular, but such a deplet- 

 ing measure finds little support in England or America. Local 

 bleeding from the angular vein of the eye or by leeching or 

 cupping is not open to the same objection. 



Counter-irritants are, however, more suitable. A stout silk 

 thread may be inserted above the lower end of the zygomatic 

 ridge and bathed and removed daily to prevent the lodgment of 

 pus. Or a blister of cantharides or biniodide of mercury may be 

 rubbed in on an area as large as a silver dollar in the same sit- 

 uation. 



In all cases a strong solution of atropia sulphate (2 per cent), 

 may be instilled into the eye once or twice daily. Or a mixture 

 of atropia and cocaine ( i per cent, of each) will give even greater 

 relief. If to these is added i per cent, of pyoktanin we get a 

 coUyrium which is at once anaesthetic, midriatic and antiseptic. 

 This is often of material value. Pyoktanin solution (i : 1000) 

 and potassium iodide (2 : 100) act well. Vigezzi advises a 

 mercuric chloride lotion (i : 1000) as a coUyrium, and for injec- 

 tion in the submucosa. 



If the local inflammation runs high an astringent lotion may 

 be applied externally on a soft rag hung over the eye and kept 

 constantly wet. Sugar of lead or acetate of zinc may form the 

 basis of such lotion with a little atropia or morphia added. 



Puncture of the cornea and iridectomy have been strongly 

 advocated on the ground that the disease is identical with glau- 

 coma, but the burden of evidence is decidedly against their use 

 as a regular method of treatment. In case of increased intraocu- 

 lar tension, however, the puncture of the cornea can be very 

 profitably employed, but it should be reserved for such special 

 cases. Theoretically, iridectomy should be advantageous in pre- 

 venting a relapse, but experience has not fully sustained this. 

 When employed, the most careful disinfection should be secured. 

 Under rational treatment the attack subsides in ten days and the 

 eye may appear to be restored to the normal condition in two 

 weeks. This natural tendency to a temporary recovery has 



