2002 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE 



the granules are broader, harder, and paler, while the history is 

 distinctive. 



Treatment. — Protective glasses must be worn, and zinc sulphate 

 lotion (-1 pet cent.) dropped into the eyes. If the itching is very 

 severe, it is recommended to apply a few drops of a very weak 

 solution of acidium aceticum dilutum. Iron tonics are also advised 



k 



Epithelial Xerosis of the Eye. 



This condition has been recorded several times from the tropics, 

 Archibald has recently described very carefully three cases in the 

 Sudan. The xerotic patches were situated on the conjunctiva 

 external and close to the corneal margin of both eyes (Fig. 793). 

 The patches were greyish-white in colour and of a soft viscid con- 

 sistency ; the superficial layers were readily removed with a platinum 

 loop; the deeper layers, however, were more adherent to the sub- 

 jacent epithelium, which showed a brownish pigmentation. The 



bloodvessels in the vicinity of 

 the patches were congested. 

 There was no evidence of tra- 

 choma or inflammation of the 

 eyelids. The whole bulbar con- 

 junctiva was moist, and could 

 be readily moved into folds by 

 gentle pressure with a platinum 

 loop. There was an absence of 

 pain or discomfort associated 

 with the lesions, which appear 

 to have had a duration of 

 I '^m several years. Vision was not 



E " impaired, and there was no 



evidence of night-blindness. 



etiology. — Scrapings from 

 the xerotic patches showed the 

 presence of a Gram-positive 

 diphtheroid organism in large 

 numbers which was obtained in pure culture from the cases. This 

 organism {B. xerosis Neisser) differed from the true Klebs-Loeffler 

 baciUus in its cultural reactions, and, moreover, was non-pathogenic 

 to guinea-pigs. 



Treatment.- — Attention to general health and the administration 

 of cod-hver oil internally is indicated. The affected eyes should be 

 protected from hght and daily douched with weak boric solution, 

 followed by the apphcation of a few drops of a i per cent, solution 

 of protargol. 



Lachrymal Sac. 



The lachrymal sac, being in direct connection with the nose, is 

 very liable to harbour micro-organisms and fungi, and is therefore 

 a possible source of infection for the conjunctiva and cornea. 



t 



FiG. 793. 



Xerosis 



-Epithelial 

 THE Eye. 



(From a photograph by Archibald.) 



