PROLAPSE OF THE EYEBALL. 373 



neighborhood causing hemorrhage and a large amount of blood to 

 collect in the posterior part of the orbit, it is pushed out of posi- 

 tion; frequently the entire eyeball is crowded out, standing out 

 on the face clear of the orbit (Hertwig). This condition has also 

 been noticed in very rare instances to be due to iuflammatory pro- 

 cesses inside the eye, and by the formation of tumors in the orbits. 



The prognosis of a prolapsed eyeball depends largely upon the 

 circumstances and condition of the organ. If the prolapse is of 

 recent origin, if the muscles of the eye and optic nerve are not 

 torn, and if the eye itself has not been very much injured, we 

 may expect complete recovery in a short time without any disturb- 

 ance of sight. If the prolapse is recent and the muscles are not 

 torn, or only partially so, but abnormally distended, we must expect 

 there is some irritation of the optic nerve, and while the eye may 

 be restored the animal may remain blind. If the muscles of the 

 eye and optic nerve are lacerated and the eye proper is injured, 

 or if any of the chambers of the eye are filled with blood, or if 

 the prolapse has been sufficiently long that the irritating influence 

 of the air is marked by an opacity and a dry look of the cornea, 

 which has a horny appearance, the eye must be considered as lost. 



The therapeutic treatment consists in returning the eyeball as 

 soon as possible, especially when the organ appears to be in such 

 a condition as would encourage you to think it can be saved; but 

 if otherwise, it must be removed as soon as possible. 



We try to return the eye to its position in the following manner : 



First clean it thoroughly by means of an antiseptic that is not 

 irritating, such as a 2 per cent, solution of boric acid or a 1 to 2000 

 solution of corrosive sublimate. Place the flat of the hand or 

 the points of the fingers on the eyeball, at the same time an assistant 

 distending the eyelids as much as possible, and by gentle pressure 

 endeavor to push the eye back into the orbital cavity. 



If it is impossible to return it by this means, the fissure of the 

 eye must be distended by making a small incision in the external 

 corner, or the anterior chamber of the eye may be perforated by 

 means of a cataract^needle or pointed bistoury, so as to empty the 

 eye to a certain extent and thus allow it to return to the chamber. 

 After returning the eye we must try to prevent another prolapse 

 by placing a bandage over the eye, taking care not to compress it 

 too much. If the animal will not allow it to remain, we must 



