Occlusion of the Lachrymal Ducts. 



As a pathologic entity, this condition is easy to 

 diagnose. Partial and complete occlusion occurs 

 sometimes with severe conjunctivitis and other severe 

 inflammations of the eye and appendages. In such 

 cases the duct nearly always resumes its function and 

 becomes pervious again with the recovery of the 

 patient from the exciting cause, whether it be a con- 

 junctivitis or some other disease. 



When, however, we have occlusion of one or both 

 lachrymal ducts as a primary condition, we see a 

 clinical picture which is characteristic. 



The eye itself and the conjunctiva appear normal; 

 nothing abnormal can be seen even by careful exami- 

 nation. The eye is only, partially open and a constant 

 stream of lachrymal fluid is making its escape from 

 the edges of the lids. The nasal opening of the duct 

 is dry. When the horse is brought into bright light, 

 constant blinking is gone through, very much like 

 a person just awakened. 



With few exceptions, these cases are due to a 

 thickening of the membrane lining the duct as a result 

 of catarrhal inflammation. The usual procedure of 

 catheterizing and then irrigating the duct, the teaching 

 of our text-books for this conditoin, is far from satis- 

 factory and very impracticable. In fact, in general 



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