Inflammation of the Eyes, 77 



all stables, but especially of such as are low and ill ventilated, ia 

 consequence of the constant putrefactive fermentation of the litter; 

 and under the ordinary circumstances this salt exists in the mild state, 

 that is, the state of carbonate, but, as soon as the quick lime is 

 applied to the walls, the carbonic acid, havin^r a greater affinity 

 to the lime, than to the Volatile Alkali, with which it is combined, 

 quits the latter in order to unite itself with the former, and thus, at 

 the same instant that the quick lime becomes chalk, the Volatile Alkali 

 is disengaged in a caustic state, and mixing with the atmosphere 

 renders it insufferably pungent to the nose and eyes of those who 

 happen to be in the stable ; nevertheless, it can admit of no question, 

 that Volatile Alkali in its mild state, is highly prejudicial to the lungs 

 and general system of the Horse, and especially so to the eye, evcR 

 when that organ is in a healthy state. — How much, therefore, must 

 the application of Volatile Alkali to an inflamed eye, through the 

 medium of hot air, contribute to exasperate a disease, which is in 

 many cases brought on by the slow and silent operation of this per- 

 nicious stimulus. 



These facts may serve to shew the necessity of paying the strict- 

 est attention to the ventilation and cleanliness of stables. For there 

 is no fact, of the truth of which I am more perfectly convinced, 

 than the following ; namely, that with the exception of the affair of 

 vicissitudes of heat and cold, to which Horses are perpetually expo- 

 sed, there is no one circumstance appertaining to their general treat- 

 ment, which operates so constantly and uniformly to their disadvan- 

 tage, as the Volatile Alkali which is diffused in the atmosphere which 

 they breathe. Perhaps, indeed, if one were permitted to argue the 

 point at full length, and with all the circumstances connected with it, 



U 



