168 THE CANADIAN HOBSE 



SIMPLE OPTHALMIA, OB CONJUNCTIVITIS, 



Is a common disease amongst horses, and consists of in- 

 flammation of the conjunctival membrane covering the eye. 



Causes. — It may be produced from many different causes, 

 and perhaps the most common is from the introduction of 

 any foreign substance into the eye, as a hay seed, or chaff 

 pickle becoming lodged in the external covering (cornea), or 

 from the lash of a whip. It is also caused by allowing horses 

 to stand in foul stables, especially in the summer months, 

 whereby ammoniacal gases are generated, proving very inju- 

 rious to the eyesight. It proceeds from exposure to cold, 

 and is often an accompaniment of catarrh. 



Symptoms. — There is partial closure of the eyelids ; a 

 copious secretion of tears ; the conjuctiva is swollen, and in 

 some cases protruding from under the eyelids, which are ge- 

 nerally tumefied. A white film, the result of inflammation, 

 comes over the cornea, and may vary from a slight cloudiness 

 to perfect opacity. 



Treatment.— This must in a great measure depend upon . 

 the cause ; therefore it is of the greatest importance to make 

 a careful examination. Any substance lodged on the cornea 

 must be removed, whi-ch can be done either by means of a 

 feather or a pair of forceps. The eye should be fomented 

 with tepid or warm water, and the horse kept in a darkened 

 stable or loose-box ; or the eye may be kept constantly 

 moist by means of a sponge or cloth, saturated with tepid or 

 cold water, and applied over the eye. If accompanied by 

 great pain, the following lotion should be applied around the 

 orbit several times a-day : — 



