506 ON DISEASES OF THE EYES. 



called the fight of the eye, at firfl partially, in 

 the end totally, obftrufting the ingrefs of the 

 rays of light: the proximate caufe is faid to be 

 a preternatural affeftion of the cryftalline, or 

 fecond humour of the eye, which is changed, 

 becomes opaque, and impervious to the rays of 

 light ; the remote caufe, in horfes particularly, 

 is almoft always natural bad conformation of 

 the organ, by which the humours are pre^ 

 difpofed to other caufes of the difeafe ; and I 

 fcarcely recoiled feeing either cataraft, or guita 

 ferena, in a well-formed eye. That which is 

 termed in the language oftheftable. Lunatic, 

 or Moon-blindness, is nothing but the in- 

 termittent or periodical blindnefs, ufually con- 

 fequent of the initient cataraft ; which as well 

 as hydrophobia, the catanenia, and other natural 

 and preternatural events, our wife grandfircs, 

 who in all things, religious and political as well 

 as medical, adhered to rule in preference to 

 truth, would need fuppofe were humble at- 

 tendants upon the phafes of the moon. But 

 common fenfe is coming apace into falhion ; 

 and inftead of merely read, mark, learn ; 

 examine — approfoyidijfez — take your draught 

 from the bottom of the well— are the order of 

 the day : let us however be careful to keep 

 clear of the mud, Citizens. ' 



Moon-blindness, generally makes its ap- 

 pearance in horfes, at five, or before fix years 



old. 



