306 THE DOG IN DISEASE. 



Inflammation and Abscess of the lachrymal gland now 

 and then occur in the dog, and, when it does, should 

 be treated on the general principles that govern other 

 inflammations. It is important that no secretions be pent 

 up. 



The Lachrymal Ducts also may become the seat of in- 

 flammation or catarrh, giving rise to swelling, so that the ^ 

 tears are not carried off^ but run over the cheeks. 



If possible, after soothing treatment in the acute stage, 

 a probe should be introduced and the duct opened up. A 

 cutting operation, as slitting up the duct, may be required. 

 Altogether they are most unsatisfactory cases to deal with, 

 and the practitioner must be guided by the indications in 

 each instance. 



The haw^ or third eyelid, may inflame and greatly en- 

 large. This condition, when acute and of short standing, 

 may be treated with soothing and astringent lotions ; and 

 very often these will reduce the structure to a natural size 

 within a moderate period. If not, it must be seized with 

 forceps, drawn out, and snipped off, the dog being under 

 the influence of an anaesthetic, as in nearly all other opera- 

 tions on the eye, so that nicety in results may be attained 

 and accidents may not occur from the struggling of the 

 animal. The application of cocaine may render an anaes- 

 thetic unnecessar}'. 



Conjunctivitis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane 

 of the eye. — The eyes in the dog, more than in any of our 

 domestic animals, reflect the condition of the constitution, 

 especially the state of the digestive and respiratory tracts. 



There are all degrees of abnormality in the conjunc- 

 tiva, from simple injection or redness, with little or no 



