178 THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 



uations profuse ; in either case a small portion of ginger may be 

 added. 



If the constitutional and local treatment have not had the ef- 

 fect of changing the morbid action of the part, and it remains in 

 an irritable state, a mucilaginous fomentation of slippery elm or 

 marshmallow roots will be of benefit. If a profuse fluid secretion 

 takes place, the application must possess astringent properties. 

 The following is a good example : — 



Powdered slippery elm, ... 2 drachms, 

 " bayberry bark, ... 1 drachm, 

 Hot water, 1 pint. 



Set it aside until cool ; then strain, and it is fit for use. 



Cold applications generally agree best with an inflamed eye ; 

 yet, in the cold months, it may be advisable to apply them with 

 the chill off. 



If what is commonly denominated a " speck " should appear, 

 then take 



Tincture of bloodroot, ... 1 ounce, 

 Water, 1 pint. 



Bathe the eye three times a day with this mixture, taking care 

 to introduce some of it within the eyelids. If the " speck " be 

 large and persistent, the tincture alone must be applied by means 

 of a camel's-hair pencil. Let it be understood, however, that the 

 term speck is merely applied to that opacity which is confined 

 to the external tunic of the organ of vision, and must not, 

 therefore, be confounded with cataract, which consists of an opaci- 

 ty of the crystalline lens or its capsule, preventing the rays of 

 light passing to the optic nerve. 



CATARACT. 



In the early stage of this disease, a small white speck appears 

 in the centre of the lens ; sometimes, however, it is first observed 

 at the upper or lower margin of the pupil ; it gradually increases 

 in size until the sight is wholly obliterated. Human practition- 

 ers have been successful in the cure of cataract by operation, 

 and we think the process of depressing or extracting the dis- 

 eased lens in the horse's eye might safely be practised, provided 

 it be done before the retina (which is an expansion of the optic 



