96 OPHTHALMIA. 



tion, and then exciting the absorbents to take up the gray de 

 posit, by washing the eye with a very weak solution of corrosive 

 subhmate. 



Opacity of the lens is another consequence of inflammation. 

 A white speck appears on the centre of the lens, which gradually 

 spreads over it, and completely covers it. It is generally so 

 white and pearly as not to be mistaken — at other times it is 

 more hazy, deceiving the inexperienced, and occasioning doubt in 

 the mind of professional men. We have seen many instances in 

 which the sight has been considerably affected or almost lost, and 

 yet the horse has been pronounced sound by very fair judges. The 

 eye must be exposed to the light, and yet under the kind of 

 shelter which has been already described, in order to discover the 

 defect. The pupil of the horse is seldom black, like that of the 

 human being, and its grayish hue conceals the recent or thin film 

 that may be spreading over the lens. 



Confirmed cataract in the eye of the horse admits of no remedy. 

 But slight cataracts come and go, sometimes withou"', ♦ ny pre- 

 vious inflammation, and without leading to blindness. Still it is 

 a serious thing at all times, and, although existing in the minut- 

 est degree, it is unsoundness, and very materially lessens the 

 value of the horse. 



Mr. Percival says the best way of distinguishing between this 

 transient cataract, and that which is the consequence of ophthal- 

 mia, is the general appearance of the eye. If perfectly clear and 

 healthy, we should infer it was the former, but the slightest trace 

 of prior or present inflammation would lead us to suspect the 

 latter.* 



* Note hy Mr. Spooner. — With regard to the causes of these diseases, we 

 agree with the author in ascribing much to the ammoniacal fumes which 

 escape from the urine, to which we would add high stimulating food and 

 great exertion in harness. We believe, also, that improved stabhng and 

 better ventilation has lessened the frequency of these ocular cases. Horsts 

 with small pig eyes are much more liable to ophthalmia than those with 

 laro;e prominent eyes ; and thus, as the former are more frequently found 

 with horses deficient in breeding, it may account for the opinion which is 

 popularly entertained, that black horses are more liable to blindness than 

 others, these horses being generally deficient in breeding. 



With regard to the treatment of these diseases, we have little to add to 

 that detailed in the text. Inflammation is the leading feature in all, and 

 therefore should be met by active antiphlogistic treatment. An active dose 

 of physic should be given, as soon as the horse is prepared, by mashes 

 and, in the meantime, three or four quarts of blood should be taken frou 

 the neck, on the same side as the affected eye. The eyelids should also be 

 scarified, then well fomented with warm water ; after which we have de- 

 rived great assistance from putting linseed poultices, in linen bags, on the 

 eyes, by means of leather blinds. These should be continued during the 

 day, and may serve as the vehicle for the application of opiate or Goulard 

 lotions, which, applied in the visual way, are but of little service. By this" 



