THE EYE AND EYELIDS 



"5 



before resorting to operative interference. If, however, they 

 havf not returned to their natural position in three or four 

 \\-eeks, and the)- are a source of annoyance, they should be 

 removed. Occasionally, too, the membrana becomes swollen 

 and after«-ards thickened, or it may be the seat of a 

 tumour. 



Operation. — Having secured the patient, cause the head to 

 be held as still as possible in a convenient position for the 

 operation. Paint the upper and lower surfaces of the mem- 



Fig. 85. — Cat with Paralysis of the Membranse. 



brana to be removed with some suitable local anaesthetic ; 

 allow time for this to act, secure the membrana firmly with 

 a pair of forceps (or by passing a fine silk thread through it), 

 and excise with a small pair of curved scissors or sharp 

 scalpel as close to the inner canthus as possible. The slight 

 hasmorrhage which follows is easily arrested bj- the applica- 

 tion of a cold wet compass or a solution of adrenalin, and 

 no bad sequelae need be feared. In several cases which were 

 kept under close observation for three or four 3'ears, the 



8—2 



