578 THE COMPLETE GRAZIER. BOOK vi. 



by stiffness of the neck : the head is poked out and the horse turns 

 with difficulty. Examination of the poll shows more or less heat and 

 tenderness to pressure, and there may be a wound from which matter is 

 discharged. 



Treatment. When the disease is recognised in its early stages the 

 inflamed part should be fomented with hot water two or three times 

 daily, or what is better poulticed until the inflammation disperses. 

 A dose of physic given at once will materially aid in bringing about 

 this result. Should "matter" form, the presence of which will be 

 known by the appearance of a soft boggy swelling, fomentations may 

 be discontinued, and the abscess laid freely open with a knife. The 

 further treatment now depends very much upon the extent of the 

 disease, the depth and direction of the wound, and the parts involved, 

 and will require the advice and assistance of a qualified veterinary 

 surgeon. 



CATARACT. The term cataract is applied to a small white, opaque 

 spot in the interior of the eye. It occurs in that part of the organ 

 known as the crystalline lens, and once established remains permanent 

 through the life of the animal. In some instances it is not larger than 

 a pin's point, when special means of examination are employed for its 

 detection. In others it reaches the dimensions of a pea, and in some 

 cases involves the whole of the lens. In these extreme examples the 

 whole interior of the eye exhibits a white milky aspect, and sight is 

 completely destroyed. 



The tendency to cataract is hereditary, through a disposition which 

 some horses inherit to inflammation of the structures of the eye. It 

 may, however, arise from accidental causes, such as blows and other 

 injuries. 



Although cataract constitutes unsoundness (page 411) it does not 

 necessarily interfere with the services of the animal. We have known 

 many hunters so affected which have performed years of good work 

 without inconvenience or mishap. 



BOTS. These troublesome parasites, infesting the stomach and 

 intestines of horses, are the grubs or Iarva3 of a two-winged fly, known 

 as the horse-bot fly, Gastrophilus equi. For the following details our 

 thanks are again due to Miss E. A. Ormerod. 



The flies are from half an inch to two-thirds of an inch in length. 

 The male has the end of the abdomen blunt, the female has it pro- 

 longed, as shown in the accompanying figures 147 and 148, the former 

 affording a side view (2) of the ovipositor as curved under the body. 

 The colour is yellowish brown, with black or dark markings on the bod} 7 

 between the wings and down the abdomen* The somewhat shaggy 

 hair is very various in colour, being black or brown or yellowish or 

 whitish, so as to make it difficult to describe the colouring clearly ; in 

 some specimens it is variegated with chestnut or foxy colour on the 

 abdomen. The long ovipositor of the female is of a shining black 

 brown colour. 



