Cats are occasionally troubled with this complaint, which originates from a variety of causes, and differs in its signs, course and treatment.

In its simplest manifestation Ophthalmia is denoted first by a watery discharge from the eyes; intolerance of light; and the cat frequently rubs the eyelids with the paw, as if to allay the pain and shield the eye from the light.

In the course of a few days there is generally an accumulation of matter about the eyelids, causing their edges to adhere, and this is particularly the case when the disease accompanies distemper.

The irritation not uncommonly leads to opacity of the cornea, so that the animal is temporarily blind.

External injuries and the entrance of various foreign bodies into the eye are the usual causes.

Treatment

Bathe the eye with an infusion of chamomile several times a day, using a piece of boracic lint for this purpose. Next dress with the following lotion, keeping the eye removed from draughts: Boracic acid ... 20 grains. Sulphate of zinc . . 8 „ Wine of opium . . 2 drachms. Water .... 2 ounces.

Allow this to circulate freely in and around the eye two or three times a day, continuing until improvement ensues.

Boracic ointment will be found useful, but what is still better, the following ointment: Yellow oxide of mercury ointment . 1 drachm. Red „ „ „ . 1 scruple.

Boracic acid ointment . . 1 ounce.

Put a small bit of this into the eye night and morning. When the eyes are in a chronic state of inflammation, the cause is usually due to a relaxed condition of the lining membrane of the eyelids, and requires a certain amount of constitutional treatment for its removal, for which purpose there is nothing better than half a teaspoonful of cod-liver oil emulsion night and morning.