176 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



mild cathartic, as the case may seem to require : thus, if the 

 bowels are soluble, a mild dose is indicated, consisting of 



Powdered Socotrine aloes, .... 3 drachms, 



" gentian, 2 drachms, 



" cream of tartar, .... 1 drachm. 



Mix with honey for a ball, or with warm water for a drench. 



Should the dung appear hard, covered with slime, or even 

 dark-colored, the following must be given : — 



Aloes, 5 drachms, 



Gentian, 2 drachms. 



Mix as above. 



We do not wish the reader to suppose that in all cases of this 

 complaint a cathartic is absolutely necessary; for in some 

 instances a foreign body may have lodged on the sclerotica, the 

 removal of which, and the after application of cold water, may be 

 all that are required for the patient's relief. Whereas, to purge a 

 horse, under the circumstances, would be both absurd and injuri- 

 ous. A careful examination, therefore, of the eye must be made, 

 and the inspector having satisfied himself that there is no local 

 cause of irritation, and that the nature of the case demands active 

 treatment, then a cathartic will be indispensable. 



Local means, for the purpose of allaying irritation, must now 

 be resorted to. Authors recommend various articles ; our favorite 

 one is, — 



Tincture of arnica, 1 ounce, 



m Water, 1 pint. 



In bathing the eye, a piece of soft sponge should be used ; at 

 the same time bearing in mind that the eye is highly sensitive, 

 and that any unnecessary handling of the part is liable to give 

 the patient great pain, and increase inflammation. 



The head should be sponged two or three times a day with 

 cold water ; nothing tends so much to allay superficial inflam- 

 mation as the application of cold water — " It puts out the fire of 

 inflammation." 



It has been customary, and the practice has received the sanction 

 of eminent surgeons, to abstract blood in this case from the jugu- 

 lar vein ; but as the author has no sort of confidence in such pro- 

 cedure, he cannot recommend it. Bleed the horse through the 



