Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-08-12
EYE DISEASE OF CATTLE.

So-called "plnk-eye,' properly termed
contagious ophthalmia' has appeared
among cattle in this and other States
and presents the following effects:
SYMPTOMS.
Adult, young cattle and calves first
show swelling of the eyelids accom-
panied by weeping. Redness of mem
brance of eyelids and shaw" becomes
apparent, creamy discharge follows
and in three or four days a clouded
spot shown in cen ter of eye and grad
ually speads until "sight" of eye be-
comes milk-colored. Changing from
milk-color to pearl tint eye may be-
come yellow bulge. show blood-shot
streaks, from an abscess and burst
leaving ragged ulcer, or commence
to clear up and finally recover.
Slight ulcers may heal by granulation,
but extensive rupturCs and ulcers
often lead to loss of sight, Fever and
some loss of appetite is present,
especially in young cattle, for week
or more from time of first attack and
dairy COWS may chrink in milk pro-
duction.
TREATMENT.
The disease being catching" and
doubtless due to a germ which leads
to it's spread from one animal to
another affected cattle should be
separated from Unaffected eyes of
latter should be washed once or twice
week with solution of two drachms
of boracic acid in pint Of water
as possible preventive and pastures
bordering on rivers, ponds and sloughs
should be abandoned as the disease
seems most liable. to attack cattle
grazing on such low, wet ground.
Place affected cattle in darkened
shed or stable. Give each adult animal
one pound dose of epson salts with
one ounce of saltpeter and one onnce
of ground ginger root in two quarts OF
warm water as one dose and follow with
tablespoonful of saltpeter twice daily
in drinking water or soft food. Younger
cattle should have the same medicine
in smaller doses according to age and
size. While under treatment do not
feed grain but give soft and green
food; allow all the cold water animals
will take. At the commencement OF
an attack puff between eyelids by
means of clean, insect powder bel
lows mixture of equal parts of finely
powdered calomol and boracic acid;
or cover eyes with soft cloth to be
kept wet with a 10000 solution of
bichloride of mercury corrosive subli-
mate.) This treatment may prove
sufficient in majority of cases but
should the disease persist and
agTsvate, substitute for above lotion
one, consisting of a drachm each of
sulphate of zinc and fluid extract of
belladonna leaves with 20 drops of
carbolic acid in q quart OF clean, soft
water with which to keep cloth over
eyes continually wet. When infiamma
ton subsidies should eye remain
milky-appearing paint once daily
with 1-10O0 solution of bichloride Of
mercury Or 3 per cent. solution OF
boracic acid. In bad cases which are
tardy in responding to treatment give
except to pregnant cows-one drachm
of iodidc of potash twice daily for
adult animal and from ten to twenty
grains for calves and yearlings, con-
tinuing it's use for one week. Ragged
ulcers may be with benefit be painted
with solution of three grains Of
nitrate of silver in an ounce of dis
titled water two or three times week.
Lastly, quarantine animals bought at
stockyards shipped in or from infooted
herds. A. S. ALEXANDER, Veterinarian.
Wisconsin Agricultural Experiment
Station, Madison, Wisconsin.