XEROSIS CORNEÆ (EPITHELIALIS). DRY KERATITIS.
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.