VETEKINAEY OPHTHALMOLOGY. 43 



Then it sets up conjunctivitis. It becomes infectious, 

 and if it gain entrance to a, wound of the cornea is apt 

 to cause suppuration. In diagnosing, tlie question of 

 tears decides. For instance, the tumor will be lessened 

 by pressure and the contents come upwards through 

 the puncta or descend to the nose. This might be the 

 result with a very tight stricture, but of less degree, 

 or the sac-wfills may be very thick, but remem- 

 ber the tears — Epiphora — and tJiat is decisive. These 

 conditions are rebellious — may continue for months. 

 The cure of the underlying catarrh is imperative. Any 

 cawse must be removed. Strictures must be dilated.. 

 May have to precede dilation by slitting the canalic- 

 ulus, but cJonH slit the puncta if can avoid. Take, 

 by preference, a pair of fine iridectomy forceps, andj 

 gently insinuating the closed points into the puncta, 

 dilate the sphincter until it relaxes, and will then be 

 able to introduce a small probe (Bowman's). Then 



Bowman's Set of Probes, Nos. 1. 2, 3. i, 5, 6. 7, 8- 



introduce a Stilling's knife and slit the stricture, using 



JICMANNzCO 



Fig. 26. 



