CHAPTEE XII. 



THE EYE. 



The eye of the horse is certainly the most 

 important organ possessed by that animal, yet 

 how little we know of it with its multitude of 

 nerves and muscles. We frequently meet with 

 cases of disease of the eye which are a great- 

 trouble to cure. The most common is inflamma- 

 tion, which generally makes its appearance un- 

 expectedly, accompanied by considerable swelling 

 of the eyelids, partially closing them, and causing 

 a discharge of watery matter or tears. The lids 

 exhibit inflammation, and some of the vessels 

 of the eyeball are gorged with blood ; there will 

 also be a dimness in the cornea. This usually 

 accompanies a catarrh, but is also caused by 

 substances getting into the eye, such as a hay 

 seed, or it may be the result of a blow. When 

 inflammation occurs, the eye should be carefully 

 examined to ascertain if any foreign substance 

 has got into it, and the true case discovered. 

 This seldom affects the health of the horse, or 

 prevents its feeding. After examining the eye, 

 it should be bathed with warm Avater for half an 

 hour, then bathed with the following : — 



Tincture of opium ^ ounce. 



Water 1 pint. 



15 



