208 DISEASES OF HORSES. 



been found a useful application, and which ever is used, the eyes 

 and eyebrows should be kept continually wet with it, which by 

 exciting evaporation will keep the part cool v A seton may be 

 introduced under the eye or jaw. In some cases, blistering the 

 forehead or cheek is found useful ; but in every instance bleeding 

 is proper, which should be repeated until the disease lessens 

 When the horse is very full and gross, physic and alteratives assist 

 the cure. When blistering is used in any part near the eye, the 

 greatest care is requisite to prevent the blistering matter from being 

 rubbed into it. 



20. Gutta Serena or glass eyes, so called from the peculiar 

 glassy appearance of the eye, arise from a paralysis of the optic 

 nerve. As the eye is not materially altered in appearance, a horse 

 often becomes blind without its being noticed, until his cautious 

 stepping, quick motion of his ears, &c. give notice of the case. 

 On examination it will be found that the pupil remains dilated, 

 however great the light, and the eye is irrecoverably lost. In the 

 very early stages, blisters to the forehead and stimulants to the 

 eyes, (as white vitriol a drachm, water four ounces,) may be tried, 

 but with faint hopes of success. 



21. Poll-evil. This complaint commonly requires the attend- 

 ance of an experienced practitioner but the prevention is often in 

 the power of owners and others about horses, and to this point 

 we shall particularly direct their attention. Poll-evil is commonly 

 the effect of accident. Repeated small blows of the manger, or 

 continued pressure from hanging back on the halter, &c. will, if 

 not remedied, produce swelling at the nape of the neck, with 

 some tenderness. In this early state, if the collar be removed 

 and the part be kept continually wet with vinegar and water, the 

 swelling will often disperse but if, in spite of this, it proceeds 

 to suppuration, let a vent be made for the matter by a seton [116] 

 so that it may readily flow out. Introduce nothing healing, but 

 encourage a free discharge, and it may heal at once. When such 

 is not the issue, the disease attacks the ligaments ; sinuses form, 

 and the matter burrows under the skin and muscles, when a 

 seton must be introduced from the opening above and should be 

 brought out at the bottom ; the seton should be then daily wetted 

 vvith the liquid blister. (Vet. Pharm. 141.) Should this plan fail, 

 escharotics will be required in the form of scalding mixture. (Vet. 

 Pharm. 165.) 



22. Strangles, vives or ives. This disease has been likened to 

 the human measles, because -it usually attacks every horse, and 



