58 BACTERIOLOGY OF THE EYE 



Deyl, 1 following up the experiments of Garre, rubbed pure cultures of Staphylo- 

 coccus pyogenes aureus into the healthy margins of the lid, and produced hordeola. 

 folliculitis, and eczema. The point of entrance for the pyogeiiic cocci was obviously 

 the mouths of the glands. The result of this inoculation, however, was not a true 

 eczema, but rather an adenitis, which, under some circumstances, might even develop 

 into a f urunculosis. 



There are cases where in the ulcers and abscesses we can only find 

 white Staphylococci, causing a transient infiltration of the rabbit's cornea 

 (Cuenod). Unless we presume that there were other organisms pre- 

 sent, which escaped recognition, we must conclude that pathogenicity 

 towards animals does not in every case correspond with the effects on 

 man. According to this view, and considering the variable factor of 

 personal disposition, it appears quite possible that even the less 

 virulent cocci under favourable conditions can cause an inflammation. 



The irritation of the conjunctiva and the catarrh which accompany 

 a blepharitis partly result from the blepharitis. It is in this kind 

 of case especially that we find large numbers of Staphylococci along- 

 side the xerose bacilli. 



Similarly a blepharitis can result from either a conjunctivitis or a 

 lacrymal affection. Acute conjunctivitis is rarely the cause ; the 

 chronic forms are more commonly so, especially those with lacrymal 

 affections. By far the most common, and in practice the most im- 

 portant, of this group are the diplobacillary infections (see p. 161). 2 



Hyperaemia marginalis, especially when it takes the form of an 

 intertrigo and affects the angles of the lids, is very often solely due to 

 a diplobacillary conjunctivitis, and is cured by zinc. It should be 

 noted that the conjunctival secretion in these cases may be very scanty, 

 When ulceration does develop, Staphylococci are found in the 

 pustules, just as in blepharitis ulcerosa ; the Diplobacilli alone cannot 

 cause follicular suppuration. The cure of the ulceration, nevertheless, 

 is dependent on the removal of the Diplobacilli. 



The infective diseases of the lids are important in the pathology of 

 the cornea 3 and in wound infection. The forms of superficial keratitis 

 and marginal ulceration associated with them are not yet defined 

 from a bacteriological point of view. It is quite possible that the 

 Staphylococci have a great deal to do with these complications, and 

 their form and severity may depend on variations in the virulence of 

 the cocci. Further bacteriological researches are necessary here. 



1 ' tlber einige Entziindungen der Augenlider ' (Akad. der Wissensch. Franz Joseph I., 

 Prag., 1893-94). 



2 This has been especially emphasized by Macnab (R.L.O.H. Rep., 1905, xvi. 

 p. 307). 



3 Of. Terson, ' Compl. Corne'eimes des Bleph.' (Rev. Gen. d'Oph., 1897, No. 6). 



