The Head and Neck 45 



particularly where there is active congestion, it is possible to abort 

 the trouble with instillations, repeated every two or three hours, of 

 from one or two drops of adrenalin chloride solution (1:10,000 — 

 1:2,000), a remedy which is remarkably active in blanching con- 

 gested membrane. It has a slight smarting effect to which some dogs 

 strenuously object, but this can be averted by previous instillation 

 of cocaine solution. Purulent secretions may be gently wiped away 

 with a wad of absorbent cotton, and the conjunctival sac should then 

 be copiously irrigated with any of the above-mentioned antiseptic 

 solutions, and finally receive a few drops of nitrate of silver solu- 

 tion (1:200 — 2:100). When the condition assumes chronicity, the 

 yellow oxide of mercury ointment (i :6o) is indicated. The best way 

 to treat the follicular form is to remove the membrana nictitans un- 

 der cocaine anesthesia. It is seized with forceps, drawn forward, 

 and quickly snipped off with fine curved scissors. The hemorrhage 

 is insignificant. 



SUPERFICIAL KERATITIS. ULCERATION OF THE CORNEA. 



This is an inflammatory affection of the cornea which results 

 from causes similar to those which are operative in producing 

 conjunctivitis. But, it would seem that keratitis may also arise 

 as an idiopathic manifestation to which the young of certain breeds, 

 such as the Boston Terrier, show a marked predisposition. 

 It is most often unilateral but is also frequently bilateral, 

 and it is commonly associated with conjunctivitis. The in- 

 flammation may run one of several courses. Resolution by 

 absorption may take place in the stage of infiltration. Should the 

 process progress past this point to cell necrosis, it is most com- 

 mon for the superficial corneal layers to disintegrate and develop an 

 open ulcer. In some cases the ulcer extends inwardly and destroys 

 all the layers and perforation follows. When this happens, partic- 

 uarly at a lower peripheral situation, the iris is apt to fall forward 

 and protrude through the opening and become united with the 

 cornea by formation of repair tissue, when the condition is known as 

 Anterior Synechia. Or, the ulcerative process may stop short at 

 the superficial layers and the intraocular pressure cause the remain- 

 ing layers to bulge forward (Kerectasia), or all the layers may be 

 destroyed except the posterior one when the latter protrudes through 



