DISEASES OF THE EYE. 43 



doses of extract of belladonna, and this amaurotic state of the 

 pupil is also observed during etherization, and disappears so soou 

 as the animal is restored to consciousness. 



Percivall informs us that amaurosis may proceed from some 

 abnormal condition of the optic nerve or brain, which may prove, 

 as he says, the last link of a series of marked phenomena, origi 

 nating in some remote part of the body, operating sympathetically 

 on the nervous system, and, through it, extending to the eye. 

 Cases are occasionally met with which may be termed symptomatic 

 amaurosis, occasioned by congestion, tumors, or hydrocephalus. 



Symtomatic amaurosis may follow cranial fracture, and, con- 

 sequently, depression. In such cases, the skill of the surgeon is 

 3alled into requisition to trephine the uninjured region of the 

 skull, in order to elevate the depressed and fractured parts. The 

 potent remedy is the removal of the pressure. Amaurosis is oc- 

 casionally associated with anaemia. Now, anaemia is a condition 

 of the body which indicates a loss of the circulating fluid, either 

 of quantity or quality. The remedy for this condition is carbo- 

 naceous food, mineral and vegetable tonics. Preparations of iron 

 and golden seal are the best remedial agents. 



Symptoms. — I shall now turn the reader's attention, for a mo- 

 ment, to some of the symptoms attending the amaurotic condition. 

 The head of the patient is elevated, and he is known, in popular 

 language, as a " star-gazer." His ears are kept in constant mo- 

 tion, one turned backward and the other forward, in quick suc- 

 cession, to catch the sound of approaching vehicles, so that he 

 may have timely notice of their whereabouts. When started, 

 and while walking, the fore-feet are raised from the ground to an 

 unnecessary height. This is probably done for the purpose of 

 sounding the ground, and, at the same time, of avoiding obstacles 

 which may lie in the road j for the sight is defective, and the 

 animal must depend more on the senses of hearing and feeling. 



Should such an animal be attached to a vehicle and left alone 

 in the street, we shall observe that when an omnibus or heavy- 

 loaded wagon approaches him he becomes restless, and exhibits 

 signs of fear. Such are the principal symptoms which usually 

 accompany defective sight, or total paralysis of the optic nerve, 

 producing amaurosis. 



Treatment. — Sympathetic amaurosis should be treated by means 

 of antispasmodics and alteratives. One ounce of tincture of assa- 



