48 - MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY, 



light. If, however, the horse is examined in the open air 

 and distant from a stable, place the liand over one eye, and 

 then observe, after it has obscured it from the light for a 

 little while, whether the pupil contracts. Repeat the same 

 experiment with the other eye also. 



FRACTURE OF THE SKULL. 



The admirable co-nstruction of the skull of a horse, as 

 will be seen in our anatomical description, renders a frac- 

 ture a thing of rare occurrence. And such is the force 

 required to produce such an effect, that it almost invariably 

 proves fatal by injuring the brain. Horses that rear, and 

 in that act fall, sometimes fracture their skull, and in some 

 instances blows inflicted by their grooms with a heavy 

 weapon may have the effect of fracturing the skull. There 

 is little hope of a cure, except with the assistance of a 

 regular veterinary surgeon. But in case one is not to be 

 had immediately, the parts of the bones should be replaced 

 and held together by the aid of adhesive plaster. Bleeding 

 and low feeding must be resorted to, together with small 

 doses of medicine. 



CHAPTER 11. 



DISEASES OF THE NECK AND CONTIGUOUS PARTS. 



POLL-EVIL. 



SYMrTOMs. — This disease consists of an inflammation of 

 the muscle over the poll-bone and the first vertebra of the 

 n3ck. It generally extends under the ligament of the 



