DISEASES OF THE EYE. 47 



cloudiness over its entire surface. The best method of 

 examining this organ is to place the cheek of the scrutinizcr 

 close to the cheek of the horse, both behind and under the 

 eye, and the latter position is the most advantageous to see 

 it thoroughly. The open air is not favourable for such an 

 examination. The head of the horse should be a little 

 within the doorway of a stable, and by looking outwards 

 any defect is rendered more visible. If any faint whitish, 

 milky-like streaks be noticed passing over the cornea, it is 

 certain the animal has had inflammation in that portion of 

 the eye. But, should the centre part of the cornea be per- 

 fectly transparent, and yet the margin of it, where it unites 

 with the sclerotica, have a hazy ring, it may be concluded 

 that this has been occasioned by recent inflammation, and 

 consequently the eye will be predisposed to a return of it. 



During the operation of thus inspecting the eye, no white 

 or pale-coloured object should be near, as its form and great 

 transparency are very likely to reflect these rays, and may 

 deceive the person examining the organ. 



Attention to the dilation and contraction of the pupil 

 will materially aid a person in the detection of blindness or 

 otherwise. When the cornea and crystalline lens are quite 

 transparent, with the retina paralysed, and of course not 

 liable to be afiected by light, blindness in one or both eyes 

 will be extremely difficult of detection. It generally hap- 

 pens, when a horse is totally blind, he has a constant and 

 rapid motion in his ears. He also lifts his feet high, as if 

 some obstacle presented itself, and he puts his feet to the 

 ground with a cautious uncertainty. Particular attention 

 should be directed to the pupils of both eyes, and to 

 noticing Avhether they are both of a size while he is in the 

 stable ; and as he approaches the door, observe whether both 

 pupils contract equally as they are subjected to the stronger 



