CATARACT.                           265

lost. Under proper treatment this should resolve and the cornea in
course of time regain its original transparency but it often happens
that a scar persists, shown by an opacity which may be permanent.

The symptoms leading to a suspicion of the presence of ulcera-
tion are similar to those manifested in ophthalmia and the treat-
ment identical. When the ulcer has healed and an opacity is left,
calomel on a camel's hair brush should be flicked into the eye once
daily to hasten absorption (Formula 97) ; or a small portion (about
size of a split pea or hemp seed) of yellow oxide of mercury ointment
(Formula 96) inserted under the lid once daily may prove beneficial.
Opacity of the cornea is sometimes seen in old age ; it is gene-
rally observed around the margin of the cornea, appearing as a faint
milky ring.

Treatment.—Nil.

STAPHYLOMA, THE " MOTHEA BEENJ" OF NATIVES OF INDIA,

Is applied to a bulging resembling a small blister on the surface
of the cornea.

Causes.—Ulceration. Occasionally an ulcer eats its way deeply
into the substance of the cornea which may become so thinned that
the pressure of fluid within the eye bulges the floor of the ulcer
forwards.

Symptoms.—In addition to the bulging, which is a sequel to an
ulcer, there is impaired vision ; owing to movements of the lids this
blister may rupture and fluid from the eye escape, but this is never-
theless a remediable condition and the eye with proper care may
regain its usual appearance and function.

Treatment.—As already laid down in ophthalmia. It is
desirable whether pain be present or absent to smear extract of
belladonna around the eye.

                                        CATARACT.

This term is applied to an opacity of the lens (which is a trans-
parent body situated behind the pupil) and not, as is often supposed,
to opacity of the cornea, the condition last referred to.

Causes.—Blows on the eye and changes consequent upon old
age.

Symptoms.—There is partial or complete blindness, attraction to
which is drawn by peculiar behaviour of the animal. If the eye is
carefully inspected in these cases, the only change likely to be seen