Ophthalmia is supposed to be contagious; yet a mild form may result from
external injury, as blows, bruises, or extraneous bodies introduced
under the eyelid. The eye is such a delicate and tender organ, that the
smallest particle of any foreign body lodging on its surface will cause
great pain and swelling.
_Treatment._--Take a tea-spoonful of finely-pulverized marshmallow root,
add sufficient hot water to make a thin mucilage, and with this wash the
eye frequently. Keep the animal in a dark place, on a light diet; and if
the eyes are very red and tender, give a pill composed of twenty-nine
grains extract of butternut and ten grains cream of tartar.
If purulent discharge sets in, bathe the eye with infusion of camomile
or red rose leaves, and give the following:--
Powdered pleurisy root, }
" bloodroot, } equal parts.
" sulphur, }
Dose, half a table-spoonful daily. To be given in honey. When the
eyelids adhere together, wash with warm milk.