What is called the conjunctiva is the mucous membrane that lines the inner surface of the eyelids, and as its name imports, joints these with the eyeball, and opthalmia is an inflammation of this mucous membrane. This is a disease unfortunately common in dogs; it varies greatly in severity, and in some cases, when arising from constitutional causes, becomes chronic. Sporting dogs have been said to be more liable to it than other breeds, but I do not think so, and I believe the idea originated from the fact that these have generally been more exposed to circumstances exciting it than other breeds. From my own experience, I am inclined to think it is more prevalent in pugs and other pets overfed, and consequently liable to frequent derangement of the digestive organs.

Anything that will set up local irritation, as the intrusion of dust, flies, etc., or the scratch of a cat, or a blow, exposure to sudden and extreme changes of temperature - as plunging into or being thrown into cold water when heated - and excessive exertion is occasionally a cause, but the most common sources are the vapors of foul kennels or hot stables, and derangement of the digestive organs; an inverted eyelash may occasion it.

Opthalmia is very often an accompaniment of distemper. There, is one form of disease which is attended with considerable discharge from the eyes undoubtedly possessing contagious qualities. This affection is known as contagious opthalmia. Perhaps the most marked illustration of this variety of the affection in the dog is that which is associated with distemper, and it may be noted here that by the term opthalmia is meant the disease which implicates the eyeball itself.

The symptoms are an intolerance of light and a watery discharge, and on the eyelids being opened and examined there is seen to be congestion of the lining membrane, and across the cornea, or front clear portion of the eye, there are red streaks, and ulceration soon follows, and a white film abscures the eye and interferes with the sight.

More or less opacity of the cornea is one of the symptoms of opthalmia either of the simple and contagious variety, and, in the case of the dog affected with the ophthalmia of distemper, the indications are of a most marked character. The conjunctival membrane is highly injected and reddened, the cornea becomes opaque early in the disease and very frequently a small spot of ulceration appears in the center of it, which rapidly extends, and in many cases penetrates the cornea, completely allowing the fluid in the anterior chamber of the eye to escape. A .profuse discharge of a purulent character continues during the whole course of the disease, and one of the annoying features of the complaint is the glueing together of the eyelids, which can only be separated by very careful and continued fomentations of warm water or, what is better, warm milk.

When treating, the cause should be first sought for, and if it is some foreign irritating body, or an eyelash growing in a wrong direction, these should be removed. A mild dose of cooling aperient medicine should be given, and the eye should be well and frequently bathed with a decoction of poppy heads; and afterward, if the inflammation is considerable, the following lotion may be used several times a day with advantage: