72 CANINE AND FELINE SURGERY. 



perfectly still. The object in operating is to divide the muscle, 

 either the external or internal rectus, which is producing the 

 squint. A speculum is applied to the eyelids, and the con- 

 junctiva at the canthus carefully incised with a pair of fine 

 scissors ; a fine blunt hook is passed underneath the rectus 

 muscle, the latter being raised and cut through. 



It may also be advantageous when operating upon the inside 

 to first remove the membrana nictitans. The eyeball is then 

 pulled outwards or inwards, as the case may be, as far as 

 possible. 



After-treatment consists in the daily application of some 

 non-irritant antiseptic solution, such as boracic acid (lo grains 

 to the ounce), or chinosol (half a grain to the ounce). 



The prognosis as to complete return to normal appearance 

 must be guarded, as frequently the improvement is only tem- 

 porary. In the instance above mentioned, the condition of 

 one eye was decidedly ameliorated, but in the other there 

 was not much alteration ; the animal, however, became restored 

 to usefulness as a drover's dog, and the owner noticed a marked 

 improvement in the way it went about its work. 



Cataract. — Operative treatment for cataract does not give 

 such successful results in veterinary patients as in those of 

 the human surgeon. A very guarded prognosis should always 

 be given as, although the result may be a restoration to 

 partial vision, it more often leads to disappointment. In the 

 human subject the sight may after the operation be still further 

 improved by spectacles, but in the dog, although these adjuncts 

 have been affixed, there are certain difficulties to be overcome 

 which prevent their general application. The object sought 

 after is the removal of the opacity of the lens. There are 

 several methods of operating, two of which will be described 

 here. A general anaesthetic is advisable, as it is essential that 

 the patient shall keep perfectly still. The eye, the pupil of 

 which has been dilated with atropine, is carefully disinfected 

 with boric acid, perchloride of mercury, or chinosol solution, 

 and a speculum inserted to keep the lids apart. In the first 



