CONDITION OF HUNTERS RESUMED 271 



has proved in all ages of veterinary medicine so pesti- 

 lential, and that even at the present day so obstinately 

 pursues its end in spite of all remedial measures, that 

 this of itself is a sufficient reason for us to become 

 well acquainted with the anatomy and physiology of 

 the eye, and pay more than ordinary attention to it 

 in a state of disease." It is scarcely necessary to 

 observe the writer here alludes to cataract. Now it 

 may with propriety be asked, why not remove a 

 cataract from the eye of a horse as well as from that 

 of a man ? My only answer is, it has been tried, and 

 found to be impracticable ; but Mr W. Percivall 

 plainly tells us why. In the first place, a horse in 

 spectacles would be awkward even on the road (among 

 blind ditches particularly so) ; and, after the loss of 

 the natural lens, art must supply the deficiency. In 

 the second, cataract being almost invariably a sequel 

 of inflammatory action, and various other parts being 

 at the same time likewise the seat of disease, it is 

 rarely unaccompanied with morbid alterations in 

 other textures : in fact, adds he, it too often happens 

 that there is a total disorganization of the whole globe. 

 Unless, therefore, we can perform miracles as well as 

 operations, and restore all these altered parts to their 

 pristine condition, we had better never think of 

 handhng a cataract knife. 



Now, although two years ago I had it in my power 

 to state that up to that period I never had had a 

 hunter go blind in my possession, yet I consider this 

 in some measure fortuitous, and will not suffer it in 

 the least to diminish the caution necessary in purchas- 



