At first the lids are more or less inverted, on account of œdematous swelling of the cellular tissue: in the latter stages they are everted by thickening and turgescence of the conjunctiva. This membrane is at first villous and of a dull red colour, relaxed, and its vessels enlarged and loaded; afterwards it becomes hard, almost warty, and continues to discharge puriform fluid. The latter state of the lining of the lid produces disease of the cornea, opacity of a greenish colour, or an ulcer with intolerance of light, and other symptoms of disorganisation proceeding in that tissue. The disease is supposed to be contagious, and was the scourge of the British army for many years after the campaign in Egypt. In that country it seems to be caused by exposure to cold and damp during the night, and the intense rays of light during the day, more especially when these causes act on eyes which have not been accustomed to such vicissitudes. After its invasion, it is communicable to others by contact of the morbid secretion; and in individuals who have been once affected the disease is very apt to recur when they are crowded together in unhealthy situations. A disease of equal malignity, and resembling in all respects the Egyptian ophthalmia, occurs from the application of gonorrhœal matter to the conjunctiva, or on sudden suppression of the gonorrhœal discharge,—metastasis of the action sometimes takes place from the urethral membrane to the conjunctiva. The eye is seldom saved from the destructive effects of the violent inflammation which follows the contact of the morbid fluid. Of all forms of purulent ophthalmia, the gonorrhœal is the most rapid in its course and destructive in its effects. [Illustration]