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INJURIES OP THE EYE. 



Sometimes the eye itself, more commonly the eyelid, be- 

 comes the seat of injury. If a blow be aimed at a horse's 

 eye, so instantaneous is the closure of the lid, that, perhaps 

 ninety-nine times out of a hundred, the eye will escape 

 unhurt. 



Blows are commonly received upon the orbital process ; 

 that being prominent, and so placed as to form a protection 

 to the eye. Here, therefore, we look for marks of the 

 blow. In such a case, the upper lid is swollen, and there 

 is an inability to perfectly elevate the lid ; so that half or 

 more of the cornea remains covered. The ball of the eye is 

 rarely or never injured : though where there exists much 

 inflammation the conjunctival membrane partakes of it ; for 

 we find it more opaque than usual. The tumefied eyelid 

 forms a very simple accident; one that requires nothing 

 more than cold water for its remedy. Wet a thin linen 

 cloth, fold it and lay it upon the swollen lid ; or sponge the 

 lid as often as it becomes dry. Simple water is preferable 

 to Goulard or evaporating lotions ; the latter being liable 

 to irritate the eye. Should the inflammation run high, 

 take blood from the eye vein, and substitute fomentation 

 for refrigerant applications. 



Laceration of the Eyelid is an accident which occa- 

 sionally presents itself. The upper lid, commonly, gets 

 torn from catching some nail or hook in the stall. A horse 

 is apt to do this when raising his head during the time of 

 feeding, supposing there to be any half-driven nails a})out 

 the head-boarding of the stall. T have had several cases of 

 this kind. I remember the accident happening to a hunter 

 of my father's. I have invariably succeeded in obtaining 

 union by first intention through the use of sutures. The 

 laceration commonly extends along the border of the lid, 

 from the outer towards the inner angle of the eye. 



Injuries of the Eyeball are comparatively uncommon. 

 Hayseeds, insects, bits of dirt, &c. do occasionally lodge upon 



