248 
FRANK H. MILLER. 
to occupy the patient’s attention. Pick up the membrane by its 
margin with the forceps, and drawing it forward, transfix it 
from inward to without with the needle, form a short loop by 
the thread and remove the needle. By the thread draw the 
membrane far forward and after surveying the granulation field 
thoroughly, begin the excision with the scissors, carrying it well 
out around the granules, that none may be left behind. Avoid 
all haggling or mutilating of the operation field. Also avoid 
wounding the cornea or sclerotic by the silk while transfixing 
the membrane. Allow the eye to close for a few moments to 
check the hemorrhage, and then spray out coagula with the 
boric solution and the operation will be completed. My after 
treatment consists in hot baths of sterilized water and frequent 
sprays of the above-mentioned solution of boracic acid. Even 
where there exists much corneal opacity and erosion I find this 
simple procedure produces the best results. I can from experi¬ 
ence say that I consider atropine in any form detrimental in 
these cases. Not only has it a tendency to disturb the lymph 
follicles in the conjunctiva generally, but it lowers the vitality 
of the individual cells, and so tends to ulcerative action in cor¬ 
neal abrasion as are so frequently present. 
This operation in question has come down to us from the 
days of the empirical practitioner, and since it was performed 
by him for the relief of countless conditions both real and im¬ 
aginary, we cannot wonder that it should be looked upon to¬ 
day with a degree of disapprobation by veterinarians. We 
are placed in a position very different from our ancient prede¬ 
cessors, by reason of our ability to properly select the particular 
form of treatment which gives the greatest hope of perfect re¬ 
sults in any class of disease. Prejudices must not weigh to the 
disadvantage of our patients. We demand results. Practi¬ 
tioners there are who will still contend that removal of the 
membrana nictitans is a mutilation, but in the treatment of this 
particular condition it is to my mind entirely justifiable. The 
removal of a portion of the body whose presence, so far as I 
have been able to discover, is of importance to the judge of ani- 
