This is described by Mayer as following distemper in dogs. It seems to
begin in the epithelial layer of the conjunctiva, which becomes dry,
lustreless, spotted, opaque and fatty so that water runs over it without
wetting it. It may extend deeply into the substance of the cornea and
lead to the development of a scar. When scraped and examined under the
microscope the scrapings are found to consist of epithelium undergoing
fatty degeneration and myriads of _xerosis bacilli_. As the disease
takes occasion to attack by reason of the debility of the system, the
_treatment_ is mainly corroborative and tonic, including the arrest of
the affection on which the weakness depends. The early application of
antiseptics is desirable (iodoform 1, vaseline 10; mercuric chloride 1,
vaseline 3000). Warm compresses and a bandage may be tried.