THF, IMPROVED ART OF FARRIERY. 151 



nerally comes on during the night, and does not attack 

 horses that have been free from it when between four 

 and six years old ; but having had it during that 

 period, they are hable at all ages afterwards to bs 

 affected. At first, the cornea becomes clouded, and 

 the aqueous humour loses its transparency ; the iris 

 in many cases is discoloured, and the inflammation is 

 by HO means stationary, but first attacks one eye, then 

 the other ; the whole surface soon assumes a bloody 

 appearance, the pupil contracts, and finally total 

 blindness is the result. Sometimes one eye is lost, and 

 sometimes both. 



The disease at all times is most uncertain ; for 

 several weeks all inflammation will disappear, and then 

 it will as suddenly return 



Causes. — It is usually attributed to a baneful atmos- 

 phere, the neglect of cleaning and purifying properly 

 the stablea, and at the same time keeping thera too 

 close and void of proper ventilation ; another cause is 

 keeping the stall too dark, the horse becomes dazzled, 

 and it is some time before he obtains his vision when 

 brought from a dark stable into the light. Purging 

 will also bring it on : and it must here be noticed, that 

 once attacked, the horse propagates it ; if perfect in 

 every other respect, blindness, in consequence of Specific 

 Opthalmia, will give the young weak eyes, which may 

 eventually turn to total obstruction of Ught. This is a 

 fact well known, but not been properly heeded. 



Treatment. — According to the strength of the animal, 

 bleeding will relieve this disease, but by no means 

 cure it. Try any of the lotions named before, or apply 

 poultices, with a small quantity of either Goulard's 

 extract or opium mixed in them : bleeding from the 



