54 Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



of the cornea, usually at the inner side ; it has the appearance of fatty 

 tissue. Pterygium has a similar situation but has a striking shape, 

 being fan-shaped and convergent towards the cornea, upon which 

 it tends to encroach. Granuloma presents a granulating flesh-like 

 appearance and a hard consistence and is painless to pressure. 

 When extensive it may project from the eye and cause separation of 

 the lids. The surface is covered with a slimy secretion. Sarcoma 

 appears first as a small flesh-like wart or polypoid outgrowth on 

 the surface of the globe and spreads over the cornea and posteriorly. 

 Carcinoma is accompanied with swelling of the neighboring lym^ph- 

 glands. 



Treatment Pinguecula should be excised with scissors under 

 cocaine anesthesia. Pterygium must be seized with forceps, raised 

 from the surface of the globe and carefully severed from its corneal 

 attachment with a knife. It is then dissected from its conjunctival 

 bed and the edges of the wound united with sutures. Minute 

 granuloma may be excised or cauterized with the solid nitrate of 

 silver, but extensive granulomata and the malignant growths re- 

 quire enucleation of the globe. 



Surgery of the Eye 



In any major operation on the globe complete anesthesia is 

 essential. As far as inhibiting pain is concerned the local use of 

 cocaine is quite sufficient, but there is always danger that an animal 

 in possession of consciousness may start suddenly and cause acci- 

 dents. It is extremely important that all instruments be rendered 

 sterile as it is very difficult to combat infective processes in the in- 

 terior of the eye. Where instruments are to be introduced within 

 the eye, the conjuctival sac must also be thoroughly disinfected 

 with a bichloride solution ( i :50oo) . Subsequent to operative 

 measures, the animal should be kept in a small darkened en- 

 closure to prevent active movements and the irritative effect of 

 strong light. 



PARACENTESIS. 



Puncture can be made under local cocaine anesthesia, and near 

 the lower margin on the outer side with a sterilized broad needle. 



