DISEASES OF THE EYE. 5 IS. 



there be seen like a half-moon. Examine the eye by the light of a can- 

 dle, (the horse being in a dark place,) and the cornea will look dull, and 

 the back of the eye bluish yellow. These appearances, accompanied 

 by the recurrences from time to time, will plainly stamp the disease as 

 specific or periodic ophthalmia. It may affect either eye ah)ne, or both 

 at the same time, and the periodic recurrence may either be noticed first 

 in one and then in the other, or else always in the same one. After one 

 or more recurrences, the lymph or pus in the bottom of the anterior 

 chamber will remain. The pupil becomes uneven, the eye looks smaller, 

 on account of its being drawn back into the socket to avoid the light, and 

 before long, as a result of the inflammation, the fatty cushion at the back 

 of the eye becomes absorbed. After a few recurrences, there is perceived 

 a muddincss around the lens, which increases in opacity with each suc- 

 cessive attack, till a cataract forms. This is the inevitable result. Then 

 the intensity of the attack diminishes, and finally subsides altogether. 



What to do. — There is no treatment known that will absolutely cure 

 it ; yet good attention will ward off the final termination for a long time. 

 When first coming on, give a purgative. No. 23, and follow it up with 

 this : 



No. 79. 1 Drachm potassium iodide, 



1^ Pint water, 

 "Mix. 



Give this as one dose in a bran mash or from a bottle. Repeat it three 

 times a day for a fortnight. Feed on bran mashes, green food, roots, 

 etc. Bathe the eye with hot water an hour at a time, three times a day. 

 Apply the following lotion to the eye, with a camel's hair brush, four or 

 six times a day : 



No. 80. 2 Grains sulphate of atropia, 



1 Ounce water, 

 Mix, 



Keep the animuji in a dark place, with plenty of water to drink. 

 When the active inflammation has subsided, use the following lotion ; 



No. 81. 5 Grains nitrate of silver, 



1 Ounce water, 

 Mix. 



Apply with a camel's hair brush, twice a day for a week or so, which 

 will help to take up the cloudiness that may remain from the inflamma- 

 tion. If this object is not satisfactorily effected, apply No. 82. 



Prevention. — Never breed a mare affected with specific ophthalmia, 

 not even when she is stone-blind and all danger of subsequent recurren- 

 ces gone. Never breed to a stallion similarly affected. Its hereditary 

 character is certain. It breaks out in the offspring, usually, between the 

 ages of four and seven, most often at about six. 



