250 Diseases of t/ie Horse. 



Symptoms. — The disease derives its name of ^^ moon blind> 

 ness/' because the attacks come ou suddenly and g-enerally at 

 nio-ht. As it is considered incurable, and vet between the 

 attacks, which usuallv last for a vreek or two, the horse can 

 see tolerably well, it is of chief importance to be able to re- 

 coo^nize the sicrns of the liabilitv to it. 



Mr. Percival says that when a horse presents several of 

 the following symptoms, he is probably subject to the dis- 

 ease : — A sunken or dull luok of one eye compared to the 

 other ; prominence of the winking membrane ; pinkness of 

 the vdiite of the eve ; a watery state of the eve ; dimness or 

 cloudiness of the pupil, especially at its edges, and dullness 

 or discoloration of the center ; the pupil of one eye smaller 

 than that of the other ; haziness, milkiness, or a small white 

 speck to be seen in the pupil ; a wrinkled or furrowed ap- 

 pearance of the upper lid or eyebrow. "Where any two or 

 three of these are found, the horse is probably liable to moon 

 blindness. 



To examine an eve for cataract, the hoi'se^s head shoidd 

 be turned away from a strong light, the eye shaded with a 

 black hat, and if necessarv the eve djdated bv rubbinc^ some 

 belladonna on the lid. 



Treatment, — !Moonblindness is at times no doubt of ma- 

 larial origin, as we might judge from its periodic character, 

 and in all cases a full and early trial should be made of the 

 specific remedies for malarial diseases, especially Peruvian 

 bark or quinine and arsenic. 



Xo. 275. Powdered Peruvian bark, h oz. 



Sulphate of iron, 1 drachm. 



Give twice or three times a day, and double the dose when the attack 

 is expected. 



The French veterinary- suro;eons claim manv cures bv this 

 method. Arsenic can be g-iven, as Fowler's solution of ar- 

 senic, an ounce once a day in the water for several weeks, 

 suspending a few days now and then. 



