156 THE EYE 



eyeball is placed within the anterior or more capacious part of the orbit, 

 nearer to the frontal than to the temporal side, with a degree of pro- 

 minence peculiar to the individual, arid, within certain limits, variable at 

 his will." 



In many of the carnivorous animals the orbit encroaches on the bones 

 of the face. A singular effect is also produced on the countenance, both 

 when the animal is growling over his prey and when he is devouring it. 

 The temporal muscle is violently acted upon ; it presses upon the cartilage 

 that forms part of the external ridge ; that again forces itself upon and pro- 

 trudes the eye, and hence the peculiar ferocity of expression which is 

 observed at that time. The victims of these carnivorous animals are also 

 somewhat provided against danger by the acuteness of sight with which 

 they are gifted. Adipose matter also exists in a considerable quantity in 

 the orbit of the eye, which enables it to revolve by the slightest contraction 

 of the muscles. 



We should scarcely expect to meet with cases of fracture of the orbital 

 arch in the dog, because, in that animal, cartilage, or a cartilago-liga- 

 mentous substance, occupies a very considerable part of that arch; but I 

 have again and again, among the cruelties that are practised on the inferior 

 creation, seen the cartilage partly, or even entirely, torn asunder. I have 

 never been able satisfactorily to ascertain the existence of this during life ; 

 but I have found it on those whom I have recommended to be destroyed 

 on account of the brutal usage which they had experienced. Blows some- 

 what higher, or on the thick temporal muscle of this animal, will g very 

 rarely produce a fracture. 



A few cases of disease in the eye may be interesting and useful. 



Case I. The eyes of a favourite spaniel were found inflamed and im- 

 patient of light. Nothing wrong had been perceived on the preceding 

 day. No ulceration could be observed on the cornea, and there was but a 

 slight mucous discharge. An infusion of digitalis, with twenty times the 

 quantity of tepid water, was employed as a collyrium, and an aloetic ball 

 administered. On the following day the eyes were more inflamed. The 

 collyrium and the aloes were employed as before, and a seton inserted in 

 the poll. 



Three or four days afterwards the redness was much diminished, the 

 discharge from the eye considerably lessened, and the dog was sent home. 

 The seton, however, was continued, with an aloetic ball on every third or 

 fourth day. 



Two or three days after this the eyes were perfectly cured and the seton 

 removed. 



Case II. The eye is much inflamed and the brow considerably protruded. 



This was supposed to be caused by a bite. I vainly endeavoured to 

 bring the lid over the swelling. I scarified the lid freely, and ordered the 

 bleeding to be encouraged by the constant application of warm water, and 

 a physic-ball to be given. 



On the following day the brow was found to be scarcely or at all 

 reduced, and the eye could not be closed. I drew out the haw with a 

 crooked needle, and cut it off closely with sharp scissors. The excised 

 portion was as large as a small kidney-bean. The fomentation was con- 

 tinued five days afterwards, and the patient then dismissed cured. 



Case III. A pointer was brought in a sad state of mange. Redness, 

 scurf, and eruptions were on almost every part. Apply the mange ointment 



