FRACTURE OF THE SKULL 39 



door, observe whether both pupils contract equally as 

 they are subjected to the stronger light. If, how- 

 ever, the horse is examined in the open air and dis- 

 tant from a stable, place the hand 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 construction of the skull of a horse, 

 as will be seen in our anatomical description, renders 

 a fracture 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 in- 

 flicted 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. 



