INFLAMMATION OF THE SCLEROTIC COAT. 359 



closely under the epithelium, forming little bags or sacs, and finally 

 bursting through the epithelial covering. In the dog, as a rule, 

 they heal without leaving any cicatrix. Still, many cases are seen 

 where they finally close up, leaving a white cicatrix, or else they 

 lead to perforation of the cornea or to a total destruction of the 

 eye by extending into the anterior chamber. 



We find the following forms of inflammation of the sclerotic 

 membrane: 



(1) Keratitis Superflcialis. The cornea is clouded and opaque, 

 being of a diffuse grayish-blue or grayish-white coloration, appear- 

 ing with a slightly irregular surface, but under certain circum- 

 stances it may also be covered with small epithelial masses. In 

 this affection the eyes are watery, and this may disappear in a few 

 days or last for weeks. In the latter case we observe the forma- 

 tion of bloodvessels at the borders. These bloodvessels increase 

 in size and the edges become very vascular. Moller found that 

 during vascularization of the cornea it is not rare to see hemor- 

 rhages in that organ followed by a number of brownish-black 

 pigment-spots. 



Etiology. Superficial inflammation of the sclerotic membrane 

 is caused by slight irritations of various kinds (superficial injuries, 

 inversion of the eyeballs or entropium). It may also originate, 

 secondarily, with acute conjunctivitis, the inflammation extending 

 from the conjunctiva to the cornea. 



Therapeutics. The treatment is the same as in inflammation 

 of the conjunctiva — that is, washing and painting with a solution 

 of sulphate of zinc, corrosive sublimate, alum, or sulphate of 

 copper. Avoid all use of lead solutions in such cases where there 

 is any loss of substance of the cornea, as the lead is deposited in 

 the cornea and produces black-colored spots. If there is any 

 ulceration, we must apply the therapeutic treatment as indicated 

 on page 362, and in cases where the spots on the sclerotic mem- 

 brane remain use the treatment given on page 363. 



(2) Keratitis Profunda or Parenchymatosa. The surface 

 of the cornea has an opaque, dull, slightly grooved condition, the 

 color bluish-gray or gray, rarely grayish-white, accompanied by 

 watery eyes, sensitiveness to light (but only to a slight degree), antl 

 also the formation of new vessels, which extend from the borders 

 of the cornea toward the centre. Abscesses and ulcerations, as a 



