26 



cutaneous tissues, and, when occurring in horses, distinguished by the 

 appearance of hot, tender swellings, generally situated on the head 

 and hind limbs. Previous to the appearance of these eruptions the 

 animal manifests symptoms of stupor and drowsiness, the pulse 

 becomes accelerated, and in a few days swellings appear, the matter 

 contained within w^hich sometimes becomes absorbed, at other times 

 the skin becomes purple, caused by the decomposition of the blood, 

 when sloughings supervene. Erysipelas is brought on in predis- 

 posed subjects by wounds, or any slight injuries. 



Treatment. — Mild laxatives, and diuretics should be administered ; 

 the affected parts should be continually fomented with hot water ; 

 this treatment must be followed by the administration of tonics. 

 To prevent sloughing, it is often necessary to make incisions into 

 the skin — this practice is attended with benefit, as it greatly tends 

 to relieve the pain caused by the swellings. 



EYES INFLAMED, 



Such inflammations generally come on from the horse being stimu- 

 lated in the stable. They disappear if the corn is taken away. If 

 not very severe, try a lotion composed of a pint of water with a 

 drachm of sulphate of zinc dissolved in it. 



Where the inflammation is caused by injury, bathe the eyelids 

 continually with cold water until the inflammation subsides, and 

 paint the eyeball, through the medium of a camel hair brush, with a 

 solution composed of six grains of the nitrate of silver to the ounce 

 of distilled water. 



Weakness of, and discharge from the eyes, after severe attacks of 

 cold and sore throat, are common. As to treatment, foment the 

 eyes five times a day with hot water, and after each fomentation 

 bathe them with Goulard's extract, using a sponge as a medium for 

 its introduction. Do not on any account introduce the finger inside 

 the lid, but gently draw it back by gathering together the external 

 skin over the adjacent parts with the finger and thumb. 



Some, in similar cases of weakness, bathe the eyes with a solution 

 of 3gr. nitj-ate of silver to loz. of water, and administer thrice weekly 

 a ball containing ^dr. of iodide of iron. 



Another eye disease, which is much to be dreaded, is specific 

 ophthalmia or moon blindness. The symptoms are great irritation 

 in the eye, the eyelid is nearly closed, the pupil contracted, great 

 discharge of water, and if you try to raise the lid, the brow is pro- 

 truded, and the eye is much inflamed, the eyeball is dull and 

 sunken, and the eye appears clouded. The fit lasts for about eight 



