710 
W. F. WEESE. 
is to execute the details of application. One of the first requi¬ 
sites of treatment is to protect affected animals from direct light 
as much as possible. The early stage of the disease is best 
treated by either cold or hot applications followed by injections 
of astringent antiseptics, a very effective application being a 
solution of sulphate of zinc combined with hydrastis. If the 
muco-purulent discharge is present and profuse, painting the 
conjunctival surface of the lids with a solution of nitrate of 
silver—five grains to the ounce of distilled water—will be found 
o> 
serviceable. It is well to use a solution of atropine by routine 
until the disease has reached its height, on the presumption that 
iritis may be present, and its diagnosis hampered by the opacity 
of the cornea. 
Atropine relieves pain, lessens the tendency to iritis and 
mitigates ciliary congestion, but we do not think it should be 
used too persistently, especially when there is pus located in the 
anterior chamber, for the reason that it narrows the area and 
contracts the vessels of the iris and thus retards rather than 
hastens the absorption of pus. Eserine should be substituted 
where ulcers are present and complicated with hypopyon. Es¬ 
erine enlarges the surface of the iris and dilates the ciliary ar¬ 
teries and thus favors absorption of any deleterious exudate or 
pus in the anterior chamber. Persisted in, however, it will 
cause a congestion of the ciliary zone and increase the irritabil¬ 
ity of the eye. These symptoms usually coincide with the ces¬ 
sation of corneal infiltration and the commencement of vascu¬ 
larization of the ulcer or the formation of the vessels of repair. 
When this stage is reached eserine should be discontinued. 
Calomel sifted into the eye after the subsidence of active inflam¬ 
mation is beneficial in clearing up any opacity of the cornea. 
The sheet anchor in the treatment of keratitis is the yellow 
oxide of mercury ointment, five grains of medicament to the 
ounce of vaseline. A piece as large as a pea placed beneath the 
lids once daily and the eye held shut until it is well spread by 
the membrana nictitans is the usual treatment. 
Surgical interference is not to be resorted to outside of curet- 
