66 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



that it is not a retlection you see. There is another way ; by noticing 

 the images reflected in the eye. ^here will be three — one reflected from 

 the corn* a, one from the anterior surface of the crystalline lens ; these 

 two move with the light and are upright. The third is reflected from the 

 posterior surface of the lens, and is inverted, and moves in an opposite 

 direction from the light and the other images, and you may see these 

 where there is a slight disease of the vitreous humour. These images 

 appear as stated in a sound eye. You may act upon the animal with 

 belladonna, for the purpose of examination. You may detect a small 

 speck not larger than a pin's head. With some practice cataract can be 

 easily detected. Watch both eyes and if one contracts more than the 

 other, it is symptomatic of cataract. It is a disease which may be 

 quickly developed. Prof. Williams gives an account of one case that 

 formed in ten days. But you are generally' safe in giving your opinion 

 that it has been present some length of time, if it is well formed. 



Treattncnt — Very little, if anything, can be done, unless it is done as 

 an operation, and such an operation is not attended with much success 

 in the horse, as the light must be regulated by means of glasses, which 

 would be ditlicult. It is possible in a case where there is a deposit of 

 lymph, to restore the eye to its natural condition. If cataract is form- 

 ing, you may give some of the remedies already recommended. Inflam- 

 mation ceases after cataract is formed. Another disease of the eye is 



Amaurosis. — It is a diminution or complete loss of vision without any 

 visible effect in the eye. It is paralysis of the optic nerve and its 

 terminal expansion. It may occur independent of any irritation, and is 

 usually incurable. It is sometimes found in connection with parturition. 

 It may exist with disease of the digestive organs, and frequently co-exists 

 with cataract, and may result from injury to the brain or optic nerve. 



Exciting Causes. - Standing in dark stable ( similar to coal pits ) ; may 

 occur from a comj^aratively slight injury, as striking the head against 

 something. There is nothing to obstruct the passage of light to the 

 posterior part of the eye. You have amaurosis in severe hemmorrhage. 

 It occurs in bleeding a subject. It may be quickly developed. It has 

 been noticed to occur from secondary hemmorrhage from castration. 



Symptoms. — A dilated pupil is the principal symp'om. The pupil 

 loses its elliptical form and has a glassy appearance ; hence it is called 

 glass-eye. Both eyes are generally affected. If there is no other disease 

 present, the animal carries his head high and steps high, and from 

 his action is sometimes called a star-gazer. Perhaps just at a glance 

 you cannot detect it. Try the artificial light ; put him in a dark box 

 and bring a lighted candle near the eye, and the pupil does not contract. 

 Some good judges sometimes get bitten with this. You cannot detect it 

 just at a glance, but after some time a change takes place. You have 

 generally a pretty full eye. 



Treatment — Incurable if of long standing ; but if just due to some 

 slight injury to the brain, or derangement to the digestive organs, etc , 

 try iodide of potassium, belladonna, and then try nerve stimulants. A 

 horse is better blind than with impaired vision. Another disease of the 

 eye, of a very serious nature, is 



Cancerous or Bleedinu: Fundus. — Medullary sarcoma, or bleeding 

 cancer. It is of a malignant character. It is a spongy inflammation of 

 the eye. This disease generally arises in the ball of the eye, but there 

 may be exceptional cases, and it may come from injury, but most cancer- 

 ous growths come from constitutional derangements. A slight exudation 

 might cause it. In the first stage the eye becomes changed ; there is 

 opacity of the crystalline lens ; this may, by and by, become absorbed. 



