90 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



Batlie the eyes several times in the day with 

 the above ; or, you may take either of the lo- 

 tions prescribed for blows in the eye. 



I have inserted setons between the jaws, 

 which seemed to do good for a time ; and I 

 have derived the most satisfactory benefit by 

 using the following : — 



Take Tartar emetic - 1 dram. 

 Hog's lard - 1 oz. 



Form into an ointment. 



Rub a little on the side of the Horse's cheek, 

 and also underneath the eye, until small 

 pimples arise. Great care must be taken to 

 prevent its going into the Horse's eyes. 



CATARACT. 



The common termination of the foregoing dis- 

 ease is cataract ; which is a process of inflam- 

 mation in the capsule of the lens, and the opacity 

 is an effect from their disorganization, with ap- 

 parently but little pain, from the paucity of 

 nerves. Tlie opacity invariably begins in the 

 centre, from its being the hardest, and having 

 less of the hving power in consequence, so the 

 circulation becomes more easily affected. 

 There being no simple cataract in the Horse 

 (as we fortunately have in the human sub- 

 ject), many appearances of the lens take place 

 in cataract ; in some, a general determination 

 of blood to the coats of the eye, and irritation 

 ensues. The retractor muscle then acts from 

 sympathy, which protluces pressure on the 

 tunica vitrea, and the cells of the vitreous 

 humour are destroyed, together with the 

 capsule of the lens ; and to prevent the lens 

 floating about, lymph is thrown out, forming 

 an artificial capsule. Consequently, by this 

 action of the retractor muscle, the aqueous 



humour is pressed upon by the lens through 

 the other parts, and this humour against the 

 transparent cornea. To prevent the eye 

 bursting, the humour becomes absorbed, the 

 lens are thrown against the iris, the iris 

 dilates, coming in contact with the trans- 

 parent cornea ; the pupil in consequence be- 

 comes lost. From these complicated effects, 

 any attempt to operate would be difficult and 

 useless. It has been performed several times 

 at the Royal Veterinary College. But im- 

 perfect vision is useless, and detrimental to 

 the Horse, which is ever always the case in 

 operations for cataract, in the human subject ; 

 but imperfect vision to man is a blessing in 

 comparison with loss of sight ; for this may 

 in a great measure be restored by the use of 

 glasses ; but I fear we should have some diffi- 

 culty in fixing on glasses that would relieve 

 the eye of the Horse. 



GUTTA SERENA 



Is another disease of the eye of the Florse, 

 which appears to be paralysis of the optic 

 nerve, it not being at all sensible to the light, 

 though admitted through a perfect organ. It 

 is much more common in the human subject 

 than in Horses. In Horses I believe it to be con- 

 nected with some affection of the brain. I have 

 tried blistering behind the ears, on both sides, 

 repeatedly, but without any success. I have 

 also tried rowels between the jaws, and kept 

 them open for a length of time, but still could 

 do no good *. 



* About the year 1815, a young veterinary surgeon, just 

 emanated from the Royal Veterinary College, and who had 

 not seen any practice previous to his going to that .estab- 

 lishment, was called to a Horse (belonging to a quaker, a 

 gentleman of the same town), aflected with inflammution of 



