6o Surgical Diseases and Surgery of the Dog 



NEOPLASMS. 



The commonest form of growth seen in the eye-lids is Papilloma 

 or Wart. It is innocent but in aged animals may become malignant 

 by assuming epitheliomatous character. Fibroma also occurs, as 

 does Sarcoma. 



The Membrana Nictitans and the Orbital Gland with which it 

 is closely associated are frequently the seat of swelling from acute 

 inflammation, hypertrophy from chronic inflammation, or myxoma. 



Treatment. Warts are seized with forceps and snipped off with 

 curved scissors. As a rule, no anesthetic is necessary but nervous 

 subjects should previously be narcotized to prevent accidental injury 

 to the eye through sudden movements. The hemorrhage amounts 

 to nothing and soon stops spontaneously. When the growth is ex- 

 tensive it is necessary to remove a wedge-shaped portion of the lid 

 with scissors under cocaine anesthesia and suture the cut edges. 

 In either case, the base should be cauterized with the solid lunar 

 caustic. 



Enlargements of the Membrana Nictitans and Orbital Gland 

 call for removal under deep cocaine anesthesia by seizing the mem- 

 brane with forceps, drawing it forward and snipping it off with fine 

 curved scissors as close to its base as possible. The cocaine anes- 

 thesia must be thorough and no attempt should be made to remove 

 the membrane until the full effect of the drug is procured. 



LAGHRYIffAL FISTULA. 



This is a very rare affection. It may occur as a sequel to 

 traumatism, through extension of inflammation of the nasal pas- 

 sage causing obstruction within the duct, or through lodgment of 

 foreign bodies. The obstruction occurs where the duct emerges 

 from its bony casing and continues as a membranous tube to the 

 nose. Chronic suppurative inflammation starts up, the pus burrows 

 and perforates the bone and discharges externally. 



Symptoms and Diagnosis. Lachrymal fistula appears as a tiny 

 trumpet-shaped orifice with pouting granulations a little below the 

 inner angle of the eye. Tears, muco-pus, or pus exude and soil 

 the hair. The eye swims in tears. To differentiate from maxillary 

 fistula a fine probe must be employed and it should be remembered 

 that in the latter condition the discharge is invariably purely 

 purulent. 



