DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 821 



an inch below the corner of the eye, will result in a cure. Thread a sharp darning-needle 

 with hair from the mane, then pinch up a little skin a full inch directly below the corner of 

 the eye, and push the needle through, drawing the hair in, and tying a knot in each end to 

 prevent the hair getting out. Leave it there eight or ten days, turning it a little each day. 

 It may be necessary to grind the point of the needle to make it sufficiently sharp, and the hair 

 should be left long enough at each end to take hold of readily. The food should be laxative, 

 and the stable moderately dark, the head to be so placed that the light, either direct or 

 reflected, shall not fall upon the face. Keep wet sponges on the eyes, and frequently bathe 

 the lids with the following lotion: Tincture of opium, oz. ; tincture of belladonna, 3 dr.; 

 powdered acetate of lead, 1 dr. ; rose water, 2 oz. ; soft water, 1 2 oz. 



Occult Spavin. This is quite similar to bone spavin, except there is in it no percep 

 tible enlargement, the location of the disease being within the joint. Because there is no 

 enlargement of the joint exteriorly, this difficulty is often mistaken for hip lameness. It 

 should be treated the same as BONE SPAVIN (which see). 



Overreaching. This frequently results from improper shoeing, and may be remedied 

 by removing the cause. It consists in striking the heel of the fore-feet with the toe of the 

 hind shoe, which sometimes makes a bad wound. It may be prevented by rounding off the 

 inside edge or rim of the hind shoes. &quot;When a bruise has been inflicted by overreaching, 

 apply tincture of arnica liberally as soon as practicable. 



Pink Eye. This is a common term used to denote a form of influenza in which the 

 eyes become bloodshot and swollen, accompanied by a watery discharge more or less abun 

 dant. It takes its name from the color of the mucous membrane of the eyelid, which is 

 pink, bright red, or a very dark red, according to the degree of congestion of its blood 

 vessels. Sometimes this inflamed condition of the eye is followed by the formation of pus, 

 and the swelling of the limbs. It is also frequently accompanied by symptoms of lung fever, 

 bronchitis, or an inflamed condition of the bowels, according to the type and severity of the 

 disease, as well as the symptoms of influenza. 



Rest and good nursing will do more for the animal than medicine. Care should be taken 

 to observe the best sanitary conditions in stable management, and prevent the animal from 

 taking cold. Judicious feeding is essential, while plenty of drink should be given. Small 

 doses of saltpetre are very beneficial. Avoid a strong light in the stable. Bandaging the 

 limbs to keep them warm, and blanketing according to the temperature of the external air, 

 are of great advantage. The treatment should vary according to the type of the disease, as 

 recommended in epizootic or influenza. 



Poll Evil. This is a fistulous ulcer that sometimes makes its appearance at the top of 

 the head or just behind the ears of the horse. It may be caused by a violent blow, hitting 

 or rubbing this part against anything with sufficient force to produce inflammation, or pulling 

 against a tight halter. Straining the ligaments of the muscles by high checking or sudden 

 tight reining will sometimes cause it. 



The skin becomes hot, tender, and swollen, and a tumor frequently forms. The horse 

 should not have a halter pressing upon the locality, but go loose in a shed or large box-stall. 

 In the early stages, the inflammation should be reduced by keeping a sponge or cloth wet in 

 cold water constantly on the parts, or a mixture of equal parts of strong vinegar and water 

 with tincture of arnica added in the proportion of a quart each of the former, to two ounces 

 of the latter. When the inflammation has been reduced, and there is hardness, indicating a 

 tendency to tumor formation, apply daily an ointment of one drachm of iodine mixed thor 

 oughly with one ounce of lard. If the tumor suppurates, it will be best to open it, which 

 should be done when the pus becomes near enough the skin to be felt by the finger slightly 

 soft beneath. The opening should be lengthwise with the neck. 



