06 DISEASES or DOOS. 



r&rely conceives. During the period of heat the food shotild be 

 light, and the bowels kept regular. 



OFHTHALMIA. — What is called the conjunctiva is the 

 muoous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids, and, 

 sfi its name suggests it, joins these with the eyeball. Ophthalmia 

 is an inflammation of this mucous membrane. It is a disease un- 

 fortunately very common in dogs and varies greatly in severity, 

 in some cases, when arising from constitutional causes, becoming 

 chronic. Sporting dogs are said to be more liable to it than other 

 breeds, but I do not think so, and I believe the idea originated from 

 the fact that these have generally been more exposed to circum- 

 stances exciting it. 



Anything that will set up local irritation, such as the intrusion of 

 dust, flies, etc. , the scratch of a cat, a blow, exposure to sudden and 

 extreme changes of temperature — as plunging into or being thrown 

 into cold water when heated — and excessive exertion, are occasionally 

 causes ; but the commonest causes are the vapours of foul kennels or 

 hot stables, and derangement of the digestive organs. An inverted 

 eyelash may occasion ophthalmia, while it is very often found as 

 an accompaniment of distemper. 



The symptoms are an intolerance of light and a watery discharge, 

 whUe on the eyelids being opened and examined there is seen to be 

 congestion of the lining membrane, and across the cornea, or front 

 clear portion of the eye, there are red streaks. Ulceration soon 

 follows, and a white film obscures the eye and interferes with the 

 sight. 



When treating a dog for ophthalmia, the cause should be first 

 sought for, and if it be some foreign irritating body, or an eyelash 

 growing in a wrong direction, these should be removed. A mild dose 

 of cooling aperient medicine should be given, and the eye well and 

 frequently bathed with a decoction of poppy-heads ; afterwards, if 

 the inflammation be considerable, one of the following lotions may 

 be used several times a day with advantage : 



Eye Lotions. — (1) Extract of belladonna, Jdr. ; rose-water, 4oz. ; 

 wine of opium, 2dr. ; mixed. When ulceration has taken place, or 

 is going on, use this lotion : (2) Sulphate of zinc, 12gr. ; tincture of 

 belladonna, Idr. ; wine of opium, 2dr. ; rose-water, 4oz. ; mixed. 



In ophthalmia the most external covering of the eyeball is the seat 

 of the inflammation ; chis covering or mucous membrane is closely 

 adherent to the cornea (Fig, 14, A). If ophthalmia goes unchecked, the 

 deep-seated structures like the iris (Fig. 16) become involved. The 

 iris is for the purpose of regulating the amount of light that is trans- 

 mitted to the retina (Fig. 14, a) through the pupil (Fig. 16, 1). The 



