50 SPECIFIC OPHTHALMIA. 
Weakness increases as specific ophthalmia progresses. The attack, 
however, is seldom stationary ; the eye first involved may suddenly become 
clear and healthy, and the opposite organ may exhibit the ravage of the 
disease; thus, the affection keeps rapidly moving about; when it sud- 
denly quits both eyes, the inflammation commonly fixes upon some dis- 
tant part of the body, as the lungs or feet. No one can predicate how 
short will be its stay or how long the attack may last; it has disap- 
peared in a week, it has continued two months. It seldom reaches its 
climax during the first assault. It will occur again and again; generally 
it ends in the destruction of one or both eyes; but never, so far as the 
author’s knowledge extends, causes gutta serena. Like scrofulous affec- 
tions in the human being, which it greatly resembles, it generally is the 
inheritance of youth; after maturity or after the eighth year has been 
attained, it is rarely witnessed. 
When this terrible affliction visits a stable, let the proprietor firmly 
oppose all active measures. A shed ought to be procured, cool or shady, 
and screened on every side, excepting on the north. Every hole, how- 
ever minute, should be stopped, because light shines through a small 
opening with a force proportioned to its diminutiveness. The stars and 
candles in the once popular London Diorama were only small holes cut 
in the canvas. 
The eye-vein is then to be opened, and the lid, if much enlarged, 
punctured in several places; when the bleeding has ceased, a cloth, 
saturated in cold water, is to be put over both eyes. As to other reme- 
dies, they must be regulated by the condition of the animal. Should it 
be poor, oats and beans, ground and scalded; cut green meat; gruel 
made of hay-tea, etc., should be given. No dry fodder must be allowed; 
all the provender must be so soft that mastication may be dispensed with. 
The movement of the jaw, sending blood to the head, is highly injurious 
during an attack of specific ophthalmia, 
Let the following ball be given twice, daily :— 
Powdered colchicum . . . . « . Two drachms. 
Todide of iron . . . . . . . . . One drachm. 
Calomel . . . . . . . . . . . One scruple. 
Make into a ball with extract of gentian. 
Observe the teeth while this physic is being taken. The author has 
taken twenty-five grains of calomel daily, for a month, with impunity; 
lately, he was slightly salivated by two grains, when not expecting any 
effect. Mercury, therefore, operates in accordance with the system; it 
is strong or weak as the body is sickly or robust. 
Should the animal be fat, do not therefore conclude that it is strong; 
