430 DOGS : THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



house-kept, high-fed dogs, however, are those most sub- 

 ject to be attacked by it ; for, in these kinds of animals, 

 on account of the derangement of the digestive organs, 

 the eyes seem to be disposed to show cataract earlier 

 than in the more robust creatures of the same breed. 



The cause of this affection is, in the horse, usually put 

 down to blows ; but, in the dog, we dare not say the dis- 

 order is thus produced. The dog is more exposed to the 

 kicks and cuff's of domestics than is the horse ; the vio- 

 lence done upon the first-named animal being less thought 

 about, and therefore less likely to be observed. But 

 that the disease takes its origin in any such inhumanity 

 the author has no proof, and no intention of insinuating 

 an accusation against a class, who being generally igno- 

 rant, have therefore the less chance of a reply. 



The disease seems to be the natural termination of the 

 animal's eyesight ; and, though the author has seen the 

 iris ragged-looking, as though acute ophthalmia had 

 loosed its ravages upon the delicate structures of the eye, 

 nevertheless he has in vain endeavored to detect the pre- 

 sence of that disease. 



Were ophthalmia common enough to have produced 

 one-half of the cataracts which are to be witnessed by 

 him who administers to the affections of the canine 

 species, surely I must have met with it ; as not being a 

 very brief disorder, but one which by its symptoms is 

 sure to make itself known, I must have encountered it 

 in one of its numerous stages. However, not having 

 seen it, and still being anxious of tracing cataract to its 



