VETERINARY OPHTHALMOLOGY. 45. 



Must differentiate between this and abscess of the- 

 cellular tissue. In abscess, pressure ^yill not reduce 

 it, while in dacryocystitis phleginonosa the contents, 

 will be forced through the puncta or down into the nose. 

 And remember the previous history of long lachryma- 

 tion. 



Teeatment is incision into tlie sac, and in ad- 

 vanced cases (which are the only ones you will meet} 

 this is the only treatment. Thrust the knife per- 

 pendicularly down to the bone and carry the incision 

 down as far as necessary. Keep the incision open 

 with lint. If it has opened spontaneously, poultice-' 

 for twenty-four hours, but not too long ; maybe forty- 

 eight hours of hot poulticing, but no longer. After 

 this opening has closed it will be necessary to open the 

 nasal duct and establish a passage for tears. Don't 

 probe until subsidence of inflammation. 



Lachrymal Fistula. — Result of an illy-healed abscess^ 

 and indicates the existence of a permanent stricture. 

 Rarely seen. If possible, the re-establishment of the 

 proper channel for the passage of tears should be the 

 primary care. Then the fistula can be easily healed, 

 treating as you would a sluggish fistula anywhere, 

 stimulating its edges with lunar caustic, etc. 



