THE EYES. 103 



are assured!}^ signs of previous inflammation ; or, although 

 the centre and bulk of the cornea should be perfectly 

 clear, yet if around the edge of it, where it unites with the 

 sclerotica (or hard interior covering of the back of the eye), 

 there should be a narrow ring or circle of haziness, the 

 conclusion is equally true, but the inflammation occurred 

 at a more distant period. AVhetber, however, the inflam- 

 mation has lately existed, or several weeks or months 

 have elapsed since it was subdued, there is every proba- 

 bility that it will return. There is one little caution to be 

 added. The cornea, in its natural state, is not only a 

 beautifully transparent body, but it reflects even in pro- 

 portion to its transparency many of the rays Avhich fall 

 upon it ; and if there be a white object immediately before 

 the eye, as a veiy light waistcoat or much display of a 

 white neckcloth, the reflection may puzzle an experienced 

 observer, and has misled a careless one." It is hardly 

 necessary to observe that the existence of a white filmy 

 spot on any portion of the cornea, or, still worse, an 

 opaque filmy condition of the whole of that beautiful and 

 delicate membrane, is a fatal defect, the latter indicating a 

 total loss of sight, the result either of specific ophthalmia, 

 or of cataract. But it may be well to mention a very 

 practical and simple mode of ascertaining how far the 

 powers of sight in a horse are or are not effected. Hold- 

 ing him gently by the head-stall, let the observer place 

 himself in front of the animal, and, after caressing him 

 and rubbing his nose, so as to avoid giving him sudden 

 alarm, let him move his fingers rapidly toward and across 

 his eyes, carefully noting how far he starts back, or winks 

 his ej^elids. Care must be had, in this experiment, not to 

 move the hand with so much violence as to cause a cur- 

 rent of air ; for that, striking on the delicate surface of the 

 organ, even when it is totally bereft of vision, will some- 



