116 DISEASES OF THE EYE, &.C. 



it is a species of monomania, and as decided insanity as ever tiie bij^ea discovered. 

 One of tiiese liorses, the second, was by long and kind attention divested of this insane 

 terror, and became perfectly quiet and useful; but the other tliree bid defiance to ui! 

 means of cure and to coercion among the rest. If sufficient attention were paid to the 

 subject, many of the ol)stinate caprices and inexplicable aversions which we can 

 neither conquer nor change would be classed under the term insanity. There cannot 

 be a more remarkable analogy than that which sometimes exists between the insanity 

 of man and these singularly capricious fancies in animals. The subject is worthy of 

 attention. Has the principle of hereditary predisposition been applied to any of these 

 anomalies 1 



DISEASES OF THE EYE. 



The diseases of the eye constitute a very important, but a most unsatisfactory divi- 

 sion of our work, for the maladies of this organ, although few in number, are frequent 

 in their appearance. They are sadly obstinate, and often baffle all skill. 



We have spoken of fracture of the orbit, and its treatment. Occasionally a wound 

 is inflicted by a passionate or careless servant. The eye itself is rarely injured. It 

 is placed on a mass of fat, and it turns most readily, and the prong of the fork glances 

 off; but the substance round the eye may be deeply wounded, and very considerable 

 inflammation may ensue. This should be abated by poultices, and bleeding, and 

 physic ; but no probe should be used under the foolish idea of ascertaining the depth 

 of the wound in the lid, supposing that there sliould be one, for, from the constant 

 motion of the eye, it is almost impossible to pass ihe probe into the original wound, 

 and the effort to accomplish it would give a great deal of pain, and increase tlie 

 inflammation. 



The eyelids are subject to occasional inflammation from blows or other injuries. 

 Fomentation with warm water will be serviceable here. 



The horse has occasionally a scaly eruption on the edges of the eyelids, attended 

 with great itching, in the effort to allay which, by rubbing the part, the eye may be 

 blemished. The nitrated ointment of quicksilver, mixed with an ( qual quantity of 

 lard, may be slightly rubbed on the edges of the lids with considerable good effect. 



The eyelids will sometimes become cedematous. Horses that are fed in low and 

 humid pastures are subject to this. It is also the consequence of inflammation badly 

 treated. The eyelids are composed of a lax structure, and the tissue is somewhat 

 deficient in vitality — hence this disposition to enfiltration. Sometimes the collection, 

 of fluid accumulates so rapidly, and so extensiveljs that the eyes are closed. Tliey 

 should be well bathed with warm water mingled with an aromatic tincture. The 

 cellular substance of the lids will thus be disposed to contract on their contents and 

 cause their absorption. 



Old carriage horses are subject to this oedema; and it frequently accompanies both 

 chronic and common ophthalmia. 



Weakness and dropping of the upper lid is caused by diminution or loss of power 

 in its muscles. Dry frictions and aromatic lotions will frequently restore the tone of 

 the parts. 



The eyelids are subject to occasional injury from their situation and office. In 

 small incised wounds of them great care should be taken that the divided edges unite 

 by the first intention. This will hasten the cure, and prevent deformity. If any of 

 the muscles are divided, it is usually the ciliary or orbicularis palpebi^arum. This 

 lesion must bo healed, if possible, by the first intention, and either by means of adhe 

 sive plaster or tlic suture. The sut\ire is probably the preferable agent. 



Suppurating wounds in the eyelids may be the consequence of the necessary abstrac- 

 tion of a considerable surface of the skin, in the removal of warts cr Ir.mours. The 

 principal thing to be attended to is the frequent removal of the pus by means of tow oi 

 cotton wool. The rest may generally be left to nature. 



Inversion of the lids is of very rare occurrence in the horse. 



Warts are sometimes attached to tlie edges nf the lids, and are a source of great 

 irritation. When rubbed they bleed, and the common opinion is irnc — tliat they an? 

 propagated by the blood. They should be taken off with a sharp pair of scissors, alu^ 

 Uieir roots touched witli the lunar caustic. 



