DISEASE OF THE MEIBOMIAN GLANDS. BLEPHARADENITIS. SEBORRHŒA.
This is a blepharitis of the edges of the lids which are swollen, red, and incrusted along their margins with scabs and sebaceous concretions. When this scurf is removed the skin is found to be red, tender and glistening. The glands are the seat of congestion, and produce a modified secretion in excess, which dries into crusts instead of preserving its normal oleaginous consistency. As these glands open into the follicles of the eyelashes, their walls are implicated and shedding of the lashes is a common result. It may be assumed that this affection is often associated with the proliferation of microbes in the glands and gland ducts, while in other forms the presence of acari is the controlling factor. Wilson found the demodex folliculorum in the Meibomian glands of the horse, and Oschatz in those of the sheep.
Treatment. Smear the margins of the lids with vaseline and when the crusts have been thoroughly softened wash them off with Castile soap and warm water. Then dress the margin with the ointment of the yellow oxide of mercury 1, in vaseline 10. If demodex is suspected they may be squeezed out and the lids washed frequently with spirits of wine as a solvent.