VETEEINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY. 54 



hours and some caustic application, such as lunar 

 caustic, to inner surface of lids, twice daily, or possi- 

 bly once will suffice ; cold compresses, continuous or 

 changed for warm ones if you like. Atropine if the 

 cornea becomes involved. If one eye only be affected, 

 the other must be guarded. May be sealed hermetically. 

 When a case is seen at the very outset, thorough 

 cleansing and a caustic application to the lids (pal- 

 pebral conjunctiva) seems to abort. 



Gonorthceal Conjunctivitis. — Gonorrhceal ophthalmia. 

 This does not differ, except in manner of origin, from 

 any other purulent conjunctivitis, and of course in the 

 equine race the groom must be looked to for an ex- 

 planation.' It is an extremely violent purulent inflam- 

 mation, caused by inoculation from the urethral dis- 

 charge. It may destroy the eye in a few hours. Still 

 another form of inflammation, in the newly-born, 

 called 



Ophthalmia Neonatorum. — This form is a catar- 

 rhal or purulent conjunctivitis, usually appearing 

 shortly after birth and caused by contact with the 

 vaginal discharges of the mother. May also occur 

 from other causes, such as exposure and fllth, and not 

 appear until several weeks after birth. Assumes all 

 grades of severity. 



TBEATMENT.^Same as in similar conditions in the 

 adult, and should be regulated by the severity of the 

 attack. It is believed by many that caustics are 



