264 
A TREATISE ON ELEPHANTS. 
increased secretion (at first watery, later turbid), obvious pain and 
discomfort. 
Treatment : Local. — Protect the animals as much as possible 
from strong light ; put a shade on to exclude dust and flies ; these 
can be made with a dark cloth, Chinese matting painted green, 
plantain leaves. I have never found an elephant object to such 
shades. 
For the relief of pain hot fomentations frequently applied, to 
which may be added extract of belladonna i to drachms to a 
pint of water (Formula 94), or the extract alone rubbed down in 
glycerine (Formula 95), may be smeared round the eye. As the 
discharges run over the cheek they may produce soreness, and to 
prevent this the parts below the eye should be smeared with sweet 
oil or vaseline. — ^ Eye-washes,'' Formulae 89 to 93.) 
General. — Consists of plenty of good food and tonics (Formulae 
39 to 46). 
Inflammation of the Cornea. 
The cornea is the transparent disc like a watch-glass in front of 
the eye, through which the colour of the eye and pupil can be seen. 
In health it is perfectly transparent and its surface smooth and 
glistening, so that it reflects objects like a mirror. 
Causes. — A low state of health as in advanced debility, blows, 
injuries, or wounds of the cornea caused by the entrance of foreign 
bodies, or abrasions, such as might occur when moving through 
jungle. 
Symptoms. — ^The same as in ophthalmia, with the addition of 
dimness, loss of polish and transparency ; the cornea may appear 
like ground glass or be quite milky ; this cloudiness is due to infiltra- 
tion and exudation into the substance of the cornea and is not due 
to the growth of a film over it as is frequently supposed ; hence the 
futility and cruelty of blowing in such materials as powdered glass, 
lunar caustic, etc., for its removal. 
Treatment. — Same as in ophthalmia. 
Ulceration of the Cornea. 
Ulcers may occur in this structure as in other parts, and by a 
careful scrutiny will be recognised by the presence of a pit or lack 
of substance on the surface which may be pin point, but are usually 
larger ; at the particular spot the reflection of objects is found to be 
