THE MODERN HOUSE DOCTOR. 179 



nerve) is diseased. Some authors urge as a reason for not per- 

 forming such operation on the horse that, the retractor muscle 

 draws the eye back so powerfully and so deeply into the socket as 

 to render an operation almost impossible. But this difficulty — 

 thanks to the discoverers of chloroform — can now be obviated ; 

 still we have doubts of such an operation as couching (extract- 

 ing) being of any benefit to quadrupeds, unless we can form 

 some sort of a convex lens to place before their eyes. 



We know of no remedy that can be depended on for the cure 

 of this malady other than such as comes under the denomination 

 of " alterative," calculated to improve the general condition of 

 the patient ; and perhaps such would be of little avail in the 

 cure of what is generally considered an incurable disease. 

 There are kinds of cataract, however, of a spurious nature, that 

 can be absorbed. — For further information on this subject, the 

 reader is referred to Percivall's Veterinarian and Hippopathology. 



AMAUROSIS, OR GUTTA SERENA. 



This disease (commonly called glass eye) is attended with a 

 diminution or total loss of sight. In most cases the pupil is dilated 

 to its utmost extent, and incapable of contraction when a light is 

 held near it. The eye has so bright and glassy an appearance 

 as not to be mistaken. 



The disease may be either symptomatic or sympathetic. In 

 the first case, it arises from some injury' to the brain produced by 

 concussion, or from pressure on some portion of the cerebral 

 mass. In the latter case, it arises from derangement of the 

 organs of digestion. 



Symptomatic gutta serena can only be made to disappear by 

 the removal of the existing cause ; if this be impracticable, then 

 the trouble is incurable. But if it depend on acute or chronic 

 indigestion, we may entertain some hopes of recovery. If the 

 disease be of recent origin, and the patient in fair condition, we 

 may entertain some hopes of a cure ; yet, after all, that will de- 

 pend on the nature of the case. Youatt and some others con- 

 sider amaurosis an " incurable disease." These waiters probably 

 refer to that form which originates in disease of the retina, optic 



