198 CANINE MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



Ectropion 



Ectropion is the opposite condition to that de- 

 scribed above, namely, the turning out of the eye- 

 lid, and gives the animal a most unsightly appear- 

 ance. The object of operative measures is to restore 

 the eyelid to its normal position by shortening the 

 lid in its longitudinal direction. This is affected by 

 excising a triangle-shaped flap of skin from the 

 affected lid, the base of the triangle being parallel to 

 the edge of the lid. The technic is the same as for 

 entropion, the size of the flap being determined by 

 experimental manipulations of the skin of the lid. 



Pterygium 



Pterygium, or dermoid growth on the cornea, is 

 generally a congenital condition and consists of an 

 outgrowth of the conjunctiva, which covers more 

 or less of the sclerotic and cornea. As a rule 

 numerous hairs project from it and cause great 

 irritation. In some cases the growth is firmly at- 

 tached to the underlying tissues; in others it is 

 attached only at its two extremities. 



Operation consists in the careful dissecting off of 

 the membrane, and is always advisable, owing to 

 the irritation produced. The following instruments 

 are sterilized and laid ready for use: a Graefe's 

 scalpel, fine rat-toothed forceps, eye speculum, and 

 swabs of absorbent cotton. 



Place the patient in the abdominal position and 

 induce a general anesthesia by H-M-C and chloro- 

 form. The operation can be performed with local 

 anesthetics, but with increased risk of injury to 

 the eye. 



Technic. — The patient being completely under the 

 influence of the anesthetic, the operator inserts the 

 eye speculum and drops into the eye a few drops 

 of adrenalin solution. While the assistant steadies 



