60 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



germs and is seen in the new-born, and under bad hygienic sur- 

 roundings. It is contagious and there is much danger of ulcera- 

 tion of the cornea and loss of the eye. Bacteriological examination 

 of the discharge will decide the specific infection. Great care 

 should be observed to prevent the sound eye from being infected 

 with discharge; also in protecting the eyes of the attendants by 

 glasses, and in cleansing one's hands after treating the eyes. Wash- 

 ing the eyes hourly with saturated boric acid solution by means of 

 a dropper, and the application of a freshly made 50 per cent, solu- 

 tion of argyrol by dropper thrice daily. are indicated. If the cornea 

 is affected, as shown by haziness of this structure and photophobia, 

 it is wise to drop atropine solution into the eye (gr. iv to §i) twice 

 daily. If a 50 per cent, argyrol solution is dropped in the eye at the 

 onset the attack may be aborted. With corneal involvement the 

 patient should be isolated in a dark place. 



In membranous conjunctivitis, as distinguished from true 

 diphtheria of the conjunctiva of the lids, the membrane can be 

 forcibly detached by a swab. The only absolute diagnosis can be 

 made by examination of the discharge. True diphtheria does some- 

 times occur in animals, as shown by the presence of the Klebs- 

 Loeffler bacillus. Membranous conjunctivitis may be due to strepto- 

 coccus infection and may occur in the course of an ordinary catarrhal 

 or purulent conjunctivitis. It does not tend to invade the bulbar 

 conjunctiva and the discharge is slight and watery and the lids 

 much swollen. It ends in a severe catarrhal or purulent form 

 usually. It is caused by irritant applications to the eye and in poorly 

 nourished subjects. 



The treatment of membranous conjunctivitis consists in the fre- 

 quent use of boric acid solution (3 per cent.), or corrosive sublimate 

 (1-10,000) irrigations, and atropine (gr. i-gi) when there is photo- 

 phobia. When the membranous condition ceases and is superseded 

 by a catarrhal state, then the remedies advised for that trouble 

 (boric acid and zinc sulphate) are indicated. Protargol (3 per 



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