564 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



BLINDNESS. 



It may naturally be supposed that this malady subjects 

 the animal to the risk of accidents, and consequently such 

 as become blind should be fed in an enclosure where there is 

 no inequality of ground. 



Cause. — Blindness is frequently induced by removal from 

 warm and sheltered localities to such as are exposed to cold 

 winds and storms. Moist situations are also apt to produce 

 blindness. Extreme heat has also the same effect, especi- 

 ally in the dog-days. Poor feeding is likewise instrumental 

 m producing blindness ; and that peculiar condition of the 

 atmosphere, generally denominated blight, produces an affec- 

 tion similar to what is caUed sty, upon the human eye. 



Remedies. — The eye being an extremely delicate organ, 

 cures should only be attempted by a veterinary surgeon. 

 The ointment made from the nitric oxide of mercury, 

 drawn across the eye-ball by a camel-hair pencil, or a 

 feather, will frequently effect a cure ; and the common mer- 

 curial ointment has been found beneficial. 



CATARBH. 



Symptoms. — The . discharge of a purulent fetid matter 

 from one or both nostrils, the membrane excoriated, ac- 

 companied by dulness, and the wool parting easily from 

 the skin, together with want of appetite, are symptomatic 

 of this malady. 



Cause. — Subjection to wet or boggy layers in cold, wet 

 weather, or during wind, as also exposure to damp situations 

 during snow, are apt to produce catarrh. There can be little 

 doubt but the disease is contagious, as it has been frequently 

 observed, that when one animal has been seized with the com- 

 plaint, others soon become infected. 



