AMAUROSIS. 311 



DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



AMAUROSIS. 



In this disease, called also Gutta Serena, or, more generally, 

 Glass Eye, we find the eyes bright and clear, with a peculiar 

 glassy appearance about them not observed in an eye where 

 vision is perfect ; although no alteration in the structure of the 

 eye has taken place, yet the horse is partially or totally blind. 

 A mere examination of such eyes would not enable us to pro- 

 nounce upon the blindness of the animal ; but if he be taken 

 from a dark stable to a strong light, it will readily be detected, 

 as the light causes no change to take place in the pupil. 



This disease is regarded as paralysis of the optic nerve ; in 

 some cases yielding readily to medical treatment, and in others 

 proving incurable. Horses are often sold with this disease 

 upon them as perfectly sound, and the first intimation which 

 the purchaser receives of his horse's being blind is his running 

 against a wall-fence, post, or any thing that may chance to be 

 in his way. It sometimes makes its appearance very suddenly; 

 occasionally it exists in a temporary form as a sympathetic 

 affection, as in apoplexy; it also at times occurs during the 

 period of gestation, etc. 



Constitutional treatment only is likely to succeed in these cases. 

 A physic ball should be given to open the bowels, composed of 

 Barbadoes aloes six drachms ; pulverized ginger one drachm ; 

 pulverized gentian root two drachms ; mix with molasses. After 

 the ball has operated (which should be in twenty-four hours, if 

 the aloes are good), give morning and evening half a drachm 



