THE EYE AND EYELIDS 105 



may be tried ; but as a rule the relief given is only temporary, 

 and the operation has to be repeated at frequent intervals. 

 Excision of the whole organ is the onl)- other alternative when 

 the animal seems in pain or the e>-eball becomes seriously 

 mjured through violently running against some hard sub- 

 stance (see p. III). 



Wounds and Ulcers of the Cornea. 



Causes and Symptoms — Medicinal Treatment — Operation. — 

 The operation of tapping the cornea is very useful in some 

 cases of staphyloma and ulceration \\here healing is pro- 

 longed. It may also be tried for dropsy of the eyeball, 

 but as a rule the relief is only temporary. It is simple, 



fe 



Fig. 75. — Bowman's Eye Speculum. 



and, if done carefull)- under aseptic precautions, need give 

 rise to no bad results ; the object is to relieve the tension 

 produced on the cornea b}' the aqueous humour, and thus to 

 facilitate the commencement of the healing process. It may 

 have to be done two or three times at short intervals. After 

 the thorough application of cocaine or eucaine solution and 

 some solution of boracic acid or chinosol as an antiseptic, 

 the patient's head is held firmly b}' an assistant, and the lids 

 forced genth' apart by the forefinger and thumb or b)' a 

 speculum. The operator then plunges a bayonet-pointed or 

 broad-bladed needle through the cornea at its outer margin, 



