The conjunctiva is the mucous membrane of the eye. It lines the Inner surface of the eyelids, is returned and forms a covering to the exposed part of the eyeball. This membrane is subject to inflammation to which the name ophthalmia is given.

Causation

Many causes can be assigned for the disease under consideration. Local irritation as injuries from scratches and blows, or foreign particles becoming lodged in the eye; disorders of digestion; cold and damp; inverted eyelashes; and various derangements of the general health are among the more prominent causes.

The disease may be induced by a close, damp atmosphere, saturated with animal vapor, such as may be noticed in stables improperly ventilated and neglected.

Certain forms of ophthalmia are both capable of being produced by contact with the purulent secretion, and by exposure to floating particles of pus in tainted air. As an instance, dogs may be kept in adjoining kennels with no possibility of direct communication by actual contact, and yet the atmosphere may convey impurities and the disease be transmitted.

Symptoms

In common or catarrhal ophthalmia the symptoms are at first an intolerance of light, and a flow of tears on exposure of the eye, followed by a thin purulent discharge, which in severe cases becomes thick and possibly contagious.

The conjunctiva changes to bright scarlet red; more or less pain is present, and considerable difficulty will be encountered in making an examination. As a rule no constitutional symptoms are associated.

In purulent ophthalmia the inflammation is violent from the first, and a thick purulent discharge soon appears, often the commencement of the disease. The conjunctiva becomes intensely red; the eyelids swell and are glued together, confining the purulent secretion, and rendering constant local applications more urgent.

In the severer forms of ophthalmia there is considerable constitutional disturbance with prostration, some fever, hot nose, constipation, and the usual signs of inflammation.

Prognosis

In milder cases the disease is very readily controlled, and a complete recovery without injury to the sight of the eye maybe contemplated. In purulent ophthalmia with severer symptoms, the affection may lead to ulceration or sloughing of the anterior coat of the eye, and inflammation of the internal parts of the eyeball.

Treatment

Great attention should be paid to cleanliness from the first, and the discharge should be continuously washed away with warm water, and a soft sponge cut in the shape of a wedge, the sharpened edge of which may be used to enter between the lids and thoroughly cleanse all parts. In the milder cases, after carefully bathing the eye, a wash made of borax and camphor water, ten grains of the former to an ounce of the latter should be used freely, and as often as possible. Once a day the following should be applied. -

℞ Argent. Nit. gr.ij Aquae Distil. ℥i Ft. Mist. Sig. Eye wash. Apply with a camel's-hair brush.

To prevent the edges of the lids sticking together fresh lard can be used. In severer cases the bowels of the animal should be freely moved by an active purgative, and the diet reduced to milk, broths, and gruels.

Confinement in a darkened room is essential, and constant, unremitting care maybe necessary to save the deeper structures of the eye from injury.

The eye should be carefully washed out every hour, and the borax and camphor water used very freely. The nitrate of silver solution may be introduced once daily, and in addition to this treatment there should be dropped into the eye morning and night, a few drops of the following mixture. -

℞ Atropiae. Sulph. gr.i Aquae ℥ ss.

Ft. Mist. Sig. Poison. Use with care.

After the fever has subsided the diet should be generous, and one grain of quinine should be given four times daily, and if the animal becomes debilitated, a dessertspoonful of cod liver oil should be mixed with bis food.

Notwithstanding the most careful treatment of cases of acute ophthalmia some will pass into the chronic form of the disease. In which event a cure is difficult, and recovery long delayed. The nitrate of siver solution should be persisted in, or the sulphate of zinc, of the same proportion, substituted. Blisters to the temples should be applied, and by pure air and ample exercise, the general health be improved.