212 
DEPARTMENT OF SURGERY. 
forced out too rapidly the iris is frequently driven against the 
opening by the current, which sometimes makes it very difficult 
to remove all or the required amount of fluid. The eye should 
be carefully bandaged to exclude all light, without applying 
pressure upon the eyeball. The bandage should be allowed to 
remain on for three or four days. When necessary the opera¬ 
tion can be repeated. 
2. Descemetitis is an inflammation of the posterior part of 
the cornea. Such inflammation, however, seldom occurs with¬ 
out involving the entire serous membrane lining the anterior 
and posterior chambers. It usually begins with an acute inflam¬ 
mation, which eventually becomes chronic with a serous exu- 
date (dropsy). The accumulation of fluid in the chambers may 
cause the cornea to bulge out by the increased pressure from 
within ; or, some other complication resulting from intraocular 
pressure. Such cases are often benefited by paracentesis, repeated 
as often as necessary. 
3. Diseases of the Iris. —The diseases of the iris that may be 
classed with the group that can be benefited by punctures, are 
all those not associated with plastic inflammation, such as : 
1. Aplastic iritis. 
2. Serous iritis. 
3. Suppurative iritis. 
1 and 2. Aplastic and serous iritis are almost identical ; by 
some authorities there is only a little difference in the effusion, 
but the treatment is the same in all cases. The result of these 
diseases is the same as in chronic descemetitis. 
3. Suppurative Iritis. —This is not a very common condition, 
but cases have been reported in which the exudate assumed a 
suppurative character from the beginning, which eventually is 
followed by the accumulation of pus (hypopyon) in the anterior 
chamber of the eye. 
Treatment. —In all of these diseases no remedies are effectual 
as long as the intraocular pressure is not relieved or pus re¬ 
moved from the anterior and posterior chambers of the eye. 
The treatment which has given the best results is repeated 
paracentesis of the chambers, with such therapeutic agents in¬ 
dicated (mydriatics or myotics , mild antiseptics , cooling lotions , 
etc.). The general condition of the animal must be improved. 
Some of the cases will improve as soon as the pressure is re¬ 
moved, while others assume a chronic form and require months 
before the normal condition is restored. In all cases the eye 
must be kept at rest ; the pupil dilated, but may occasionally 
