82 MODERN FARRIER. 



li' 



ically ; and it has been supposed, by ignorant peo- 

 ple, that at these periods it follows the changes of 

 the moon, whence it has received the name of Infia- 

 tic or woon hl'mdness. If the disease does not thus 

 disappear, or if it appears again, and reaches the 

 height before described, the inflammation goes on, 

 and the cornea becomes more obscure ; or, what Very 

 frequently happens, the cornea recovers the transpa- 

 rency, and the christalline humour becomes opaque. 



In the horse one eye frequently only is affected : 

 whereas in man both eyes are generally inflamed at '■ 

 the same time. This disease usually occurs in 

 young horses of five or six years old, than in those 

 of a more advanced period. It is said that horses' 

 are never affected with inflammation of the eves till 

 they are broken, or taker: up from the pasture where 

 they have remained from their birth. 



Causes. — A plethoric state of the body seem very 

 much to predispose to inflammation of the eye, and 

 this seems to account for its occurring so frequently 

 in horses of five or six years old, as at that age they 

 generally cease to grow, and are, of course, more 

 disposed than at other times to fulness of blood. 

 Sudden changes of temperature form a very common 

 exciting cause of this disease, and the heat and foul 

 air of a close stable frequently produce it. Such 

 horses as are kept in dark stables are also more sub- 

 ject to it, from the effect of sudden exposure to 

 broad daylight. Want of exercise, or extremes of 

 idleness and hard work, may also assist in producing 1 

 it. Mr. Coleman considers this disease in the horse 1 

 as an inflammation of a specific nature, very differ- 

 ent from any that occurs in other animals. The 

 principal reason for supposing that the constitution 

 is affected is, that a horse affected with an inflam- 

 mation of tlie eye either does not perspire, or sweats 

 profusely, indicating a slow fcA^er. 



Cure. — In the early stage of this disease, bleeding 

 is very necessary ; but if the horse is not very fat 



