TRAUMATIC LESIONS OF THE CONJUNCTIVA 519 



Treatment.— The treatment of exanthematous conjuncti- 

 vitis is very similar to that of the catarrhal form and its 

 varieties. The original disease must be treated, and anti- 

 septic and astringent solutions applied to the affected con- 

 junctiva. When -there is severe lacrimation, calomel has 

 proved to be of considerable value. 



PTERYGIUM. 



Definition.— A triangular fold of the conjunctiva and sub- 

 conjunctival tissue extending over a part of the cornea. It 

 is derived from the bulbar conjunctiva and narrows to a 

 point as it extends over the corneal membrane. 



Symptoms.— Pterygium develops gradually and does not 

 produce any marked irritation except a slight catarrhal 

 inflammation. When it extends over on the cornea it may 

 affect vision. 



Diagnosis.— The diagnosis is not difficult. The triangular 

 growth, attached more or less firmly to the cornea, rich in 

 bloodvessels, which gives it a pink or reddish cast, charac- 

 terizes it. 



Prognosis.— Pterygium is not very serious and can usually 

 be operated successfully. 



Treatment.— It is advisable to treat the mucous membrane 

 for a few days previous to the operation with antiseptic and 

 astringent solutions. A local anesthetic should be adminis- 

 tered, or if the animal is nervous, general anesthesia would 

 be preferable. Dissect off the triangular fold of membrane 

 from the cornea and remove it as near the base as possible 

 with the scissors. It is further recommended that the base 

 of the growth be dissected out completely and the wound 

 sutured. The after-treatment consists in the use of antiseptic 

 and astringent solutions. Recovery is usually prompt, and, 

 if the operation has been thorough, the growth does not 

 return. 



TRAUMATIC LESIONS OF THE CONJUNCTIVA. 



Foreign Bodies in the Conjunctiva.— Various kinds of sub- 

 stances are found in the conjunctival sac of small animals. 



