PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT I97 



Symptoms.-^An attack is apt to occur at night. There are 

 signs of pretty general inflammation of one eye. Photophobia; 

 lachrimation ; retracted eyeball; pericorneal congestion; dull and 

 dusty colored iris; contracted, sluggish pupil; haziness of the cor- 

 nea and lens, increased tension of the eyeball ; and turbidity of the 

 aqueous humor; are prominent symptoms. Fever and its usual 

 accompaniments are also present. After ten days or two weeks 

 partial recovery ensues, but a recurrence is the rule, and after 

 five to eight attacks permanent blindness results. 



The other eye is sooner or later involved. Between attacks the 

 eye is retracted and seems smaller than its mate, a wrinkling of the 

 upper lid and eyebrow and an abrupt bend in the line of the eye- 

 brow may be seen. 



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Lachrimation, a bluish ring about the cornea, contracted pupil, 

 opacity of the cornea or lens, and discoloration of the iris, may 

 also occur in the interval. Blindness is caused by cataract and 

 tension, which destroys the sight by pressure on the retina. 



There is, unfortunately, no means of curing periodic ophthal- 

 mia now known, or of preventing the recurrence of attacks when 

 they have once begun. The avoidance of breeding from diseased 

 animals and general good hygiene may secure prophylaxis. 



Treatment. — The treatment of an attack is entirely sympto- 

 matic. A darkened stall, light, laxative food of bran mashes are 

 indicated. Sodium salicylate, in 2-dram doses thrice daily, is 

 thought to be of service. Iridectomy is useful when the tension 

 of the eyeball is much increased. During convalescence the admin- 

 istration of bitters, as nux vomica (3ii), with ferrous sulphate (3i), 

 on the food thrice daily is of benefit. 



Peritonitis. 



Acute. — Acute peritonitis occurs in all animals. The chief 

 fact to keep in mind is that. peritonitis. is almost invariably second- 

 ary to some local inflammation, injury or lesion in the belly or 



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