414 CHAPTER 57. 



of blood. Pressure from a full backwards or a blow on the head may also 

 bring on the disease. 



858. Treatment. 



The treatment of Amaurosis must depend on the cause from which it 

 arises or is supposed to arise. When originating in atrophy or wasting 

 away of the optic nerve, it is incurable. There is more hope of cases 

 resulting from some affection of the brain. 



Tumours and morbid effusions on the brain are sometimes removed by 

 kind nature, and with their removal the optic nerve may recover its tone. 

 Art can do but little to assist in promoting this change. 



In oppression of the brain induced by an overloaded or disordered 

 condition of the stomach, a dose of purgative medicine will be useful. 

 On the other hand, if the disease is connected with general debility, 

 generous diet and tonics will be of service. 



In all cases, as topical remedies, cold applications to the head and 

 diminished light are to be recommended. 



859. Glaucoma. 



Glaucoma is indicated by a yellowish or sea-green appearance of the 

 eyes, which comes on gradually in old age. This appearance is due to 

 opacity or cloudiness of the vitreous humour. It terminates in total 

 blindness, and is incurable. Its cause is not yet understood. 



860. Minor diseases of the Eye and its appendages. 



We now pass on to the consideration of some minor diseases of the 

 eye and its appendages. 



861. Lacerations of the Eyelids. 



Most common among minor injuries is laceration of the eyelid arising 

 from a bite or other accidental injury. The treatment usually consists 

 in bringing together the lacerated parts and maintaining them in proper 

 apposition by pins or silver-wire sutures. Great care is needed to pre- 

 vent the patient from rubbing his eye against the manger. A wet linen 

 rag should be hung loosely from above over the eye, and the animal 

 should be reversed in his stall. 



No part of the injured structure should be cut away, unless it is so 

 hopelessly lacerated as to make reunion very improbable. The horse has 

 need of the protection of all his eyelid, as a guard against the admission 

 of too much light as well as against accidental injuries and the admission 

 of foreign bodies. 



There is always a strong natural tendency to reunion of these parts ; 

 and therefore with judicious management a successful result need not be 

 despaired of, even in very severe injuries. If the parts have dried up, 

 they should be pared enough to make the edges slightly raw, and then 

 when skilfully pinned together they will adhere at once. Let them 



