LIGHT 335 



painful and giddy sensations on issuing from a dark 

 place to the full blaze of the noonday sun, or even 

 when a candle is introduced, after sitting for some 

 time in a dark room. A repetition of this several 

 times during the day would inevitably be attended with 

 most injurious consequences, from the sudden shock 

 it gives to the optic nerve, and the vessels of the 

 retina. Besides, it may produce inflammation in the 

 coating of the eye, which may end in the total de- 

 struction of the organ. There can be little doubt but 

 horses that are liable to start at objects, frequently 

 owe this dangerous quality to the cause above alluded 

 to. 



A stable ought to be as well lighted as a house, so 

 that this source of injury may be avoided, and also on 

 account of all parts of it being properly seen, so that 

 masters may be enabled to detect a want of due atten- 

 tion to cleanliness, a subject which we cannot too often 

 impress upon masters and servants. 



In stables which have a due quantity of light, the 

 shutters may be partially closed when the animals 

 have fed properly, and lie down to sleep. Many 

 horses stand too long upon their limbs, and therefore 

 this subdued light is more apt to produce drowsiness, 

 and thus incline him to repose, during which time the 

 food is well-known to have the most salutary effect in 

 increasing the muscular fibre, and the cellular and 

 adipose substances. 



While we have shown the utility of a well-lighted 

 stable, we would guard our readers against allowing 

 that part of the wall next the head of the horse being 

 too light ; because the refraction of the rays of light 

 constantly beaming into the eye will stimulate the 

 nerve too much, and is apt to produce exhaustion of 

 energy in the optic nerve and retina. If the stable is 



