INJURIES AND DISHASBS Or THE EVE. 



62S. The Eye, although well shielded by a strong bony socket, 

 cartilaginous, muscular, and membranous structures, is frequently 

 subject to injury and disease. 



629. The Eyelids are sometimes injured, as a result of fighting, — 

 more particularly in dogs. In the horse, the upper lid is occasionally 

 torn by hooks, nails, &c. Should the piece hang down over the front 

 of the eye, the best plan is to cut it off, and treat the place as a simple 

 wound, or, if practicable, a suture or two may be put in, and the 

 wound covered with collodion. Warty growths, when present, can 

 be removed with the scissors or the knife. The eyelids may become 

 inverted, or everted ; when the former happens, the eyelashes turn 

 inwards and irritate the front of the eye ; when the latter occurs, they 

 turn outwards. Both cases cause much pain and annoyance, and 

 have to be relieved by an operation, which consists of cutting a piece 

 out of the lid. The succeeding inflammation should be treated with 

 the following soothing eye lotion : — boracic acid, one drachm ; wine 

 of opium, two drachms ; rose-water, half-a-pint ; apply with a soft 

 sponge night and morning. If great pain be present, a solution of 

 cocaine, or extract of belladonna, may be used. The animal should 

 always be kept in a dark place, and fed on a cooling diet. 



630. The Membrana Nictitans, or Haw, is sometimes subject 

 to irritation and inflammation, but is more prone to warty growths, and 

 soft, spongy, and cancerous tumours. The warts may be successfully 

 cut off with the scissors, but in removing the soft tumours, the haw, in 

 some cases, has to be excised altogether. After the operation, the 

 parts should be dressed with the boracic lotion, already recommended. 

 These growths are more frequently seen in the cow, than in the horse. 

 Old-fashioned farriers used to cut the haw out for an imaginary 

 complaint in pigs, called the " howks," which was really indigestion ; 

 they took up the haw with a needle and thread and cut it out with the 

 scissors. 



