TREATMENT may be either abortive or radical. The former is rarely successful, but massage of the growth may be tried, using an ointment of yellow oxide of mer cury or iodide of cadmium.
The radical plan consists in the re moval of the growth by operation, either from the skin or conjunctival surfaces. If the tumor shows evidence of having broken down, it had better be removed from the latter surface. This is accom plished by means of a vertical incision into the growth with a sharp scalpel, after thorough cocainization of the conjunc tiva, and the removal of the contents of the sac with a small curette or scoop espe cially constructed for this purpose. If, on the other hand, the growth be large and firm, and gives no evidence of hav ing undergone degeneration, it is better to remove it from the skin-surface by means of a formal dissection. For this purpose it is customary to control the haemorrhage by means of a clamp which includes the field of operation in its area, and to insert several stitches after the tumor has been excised. Care should be taken that all of the growth be removed to prevent recurrence.
Cutaneous Disorders of the Eyelids.
ECZEMA.—Eczema is one of the most frequent of palpebral affections; it is usu ally met with in children in its moist form (crusta lactea). It is generally secondary to phlyctenular conjunctivitis, and re sults from the continued irritation of the lids by the profuse lacrymation incident upon this form of conjunctivitis. A sim ilar eruption is seen in adults, especially in the lower lid, when the lacrymation is secondary to lacrymal disease or catarrh of the conjunctiva.
Treatment.—Removal of the scabs with warm solution of bicarbonate of potas sium without provoking any bleeding is advisable. After the lids have been thor oughly dried, a solution of silver nitrate, 20 grains to the ounce, should be care fully applied to the raw surfaces. The lid should then be covered with an oxide of-zinc ointment. Either the plain oint ment may be employed or one consisting of equal parts of oxide of zinc and vaselin, to which 20 grains of calomel have been added.