350 DISEASES OF CATTLE. 



ORBITAL AND PERIORBITAL ABSCESS. 



Orbital abscess may form outside the globe and within the orbital 

 sheath, as the result of a previous wound of the parts or from 

 fracture of the bony orbit, etc. Periorbital abscess commences out- 

 side the ocular sheath, beneath the periosteal membrane covering 

 the bone, and is usually the result of a disease or fractured bone 

 which enters into the formation of the orbital cavity. 



SymjJtoms. — Orbital abscess is manifested by a pushing forward 

 of the eyeball (exophthalmos), a swelling of the conjunctiva and 

 eyelids. The bulging out of the eye is in proportion to the size of 

 the abscess; the movement of the eye is fixed, due to the painful- 

 ness of any voluntary movement of the eyeball. Periorbital abscess 

 generally pushes the eye to one side; otherwise the symptoms are 

 similar to the foregoing. The pain generally is very great ; paralysis 

 of the nerve of sight may occur, and death may be caused by the 

 abscess extending to the brain. 



Treatment. — The treatment for either orbital or periorbital abscess 

 is the same as that for abscess occurring in any other part of the 

 body — a free opening for the escape of imprisoned pus. This should 

 be made as soon as the true nature of the disease is recognized. 

 Afterwards antiseptic injections may be needed to stimulate healthy 

 granulation and to prevent septic infection of the ocular membranes. 

 For this purpose a saturated solution of boric acid or listerine 1 part 

 to 10 of water may be used. When the fever runs high, Glauber's 

 salt (sulphate of soda) may be given in l-ounce doses once a day. 

 The animal should be kept in a darkened stable, on soft or green feed. 



FRACTURE OF THE ORBIT. 



This accident occasionally occurs among belligerent animals, or as 

 the result of blows delivered by brutal attendants. The orbital proc- 

 ess above the eye may be entirely crushed in, pressing down upon the 

 eyeball. In such an event the depressed bone should be elevated into 

 its proper place, and if it fails to unite it may have to be removed 

 with saw or chisel. The margin of the orbit may be crushed at any 

 point and cause periorbital abscess, or necrosis may result from the 

 presence of a splinter of bone or the excessive destruction of bone. 

 In all cases of fracture the animal should be kept by itself until the 

 injured part heals. 



NECROSIS OF THE BONY ORBIT. 



As the result of fracture of the margin of the orbit a part of the 

 injured bone may become necrosed (dead), and periostitis and perior- 

 bital abscess will follow as a consequence. The discovery of this dis- 

 ease will at first resemble abscess, but on making an examination with 



