VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY. 



43 



Then it sets up conjunctivitis. It becomes infectious, 

 and if it gain entrance to a wound of tlie cornea is apt 

 to cause suppuration. In diagnosing, the question of 

 tears decides. For instance, the tumor will be lessened 

 by pressure and the contents come upwards through 

 the puncta or descend to the nose. This might be the 

 result with a very tight stricture, but of less degree, 

 or the sac- walls may be very thick, but remem- 

 ber the tears — Epiphora — and that is decisive. These 

 conditions are rebellious — may continue for months. 

 The cure of the underlying catarrh is imjierative. Any 

 cause must be removed. Strictures must be dilated. 

 May have to precede dilation by slitting the canalic- 

 ulus, but dont slit the puncta if can avoid. Take, 

 by preference, a pair of fine iridectomy forceps, and, 

 gently insinuating the closed points into the puncta, 

 dilate the s[)hincter until it i-elaxes, and will then be 

 able to introduce a small probe (Bowman's). Then 



Bowman's Set of Probes, Kos. 1. 2. 3. 4, 5, 6. 7. 8. 



Fig. 25. 



introduce a Stilling's knife and slit the stricture, using 



JICMANNzr.O 



Fig. 36. 



