Recurrent Ophthalmia in Solipeds. Moonblindness. 407 



Bouiii quotes a case of a sewage irrigated meadow in Vendee 

 which ahnost infallibly produced recurrent ophthalmia in the 

 horses fed on its products. On the other hand, oats and hay 

 from a dry, rich soil and well harvested, are the most trustworthy 

 food when the disease is to be dreaded. 



Damp night air on wet, impermeable soils is to be es- 

 pecially feared as not only relaxing the system and low^ering its 

 power of resistance, but also producing" a chill and thereby in- 

 creasing the susceptibility. 



Damp, cold basement stables are concurrent causes acting 

 like the wet soils, the damp air, and the attendant relaxing con- 

 ditions. Thierry long ago noticed that improved stable hygiene 

 around Strassburg led to a notable decrease of recurrent ophthal- 

 mia. In iSoy horses were blind to the extent of 16.5 per cent., 

 in 1821 to 8.5 per cent., and in 1870 Zundel found but 1.79 per 

 cent., and few of the latter from recurrent ophthalmia. 



Again the ventilation, lighting and drying of close, low, dark 

 damp stables where the disease had previously prevailed has often 

 practically banished the affection. Hofgeismar states that during 

 the prevalence of the disease in a detachment of the German 

 army in Alsace, out of 84 attacks in 700 horses 52 appeared in 

 February and March, the period of severe weather and close 

 stabling. 



Fodders of a heating, or starchy nature, like Indian corn, 

 buckwheat, or wheat strongly predispose to the disease, 

 probably by inducing costiveness, slight impactions and indi- 

 gestions, and in bad, frequently recurring cases the writer rarely 

 fails to find that the animal is being fed on corn. Beans, peas, 

 vetches and other leguminous fodders are less injurious and when 

 grown on high, dry soils and fed judiciously they are as a 

 rule harmless. When grown rank, badly harvested, and used to 

 excess they become distinctly hurtful. Any fodder which has 

 been allowed to become musty is to be avoided, since any con- 

 dition which lowers the general tone of health strongly predis- 

 poses to an attack. The same remark applies to irregularities 

 and faults in feeding. The best food and the most abundant 

 supply will fail under such circumstances to maintain the con- 

 dition, and the horse that is losing condition is becoming increas- 

 ingly susceptible to this malady. 



