TlfEIR PATHOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT. 27 



how painful it is to the eyo3. All causes of inflammation should be avoided 

 if we would avoid cataract, and heated and foul stables are probably, or 

 perhaps, more correctly, certainly, a prolific source of this disease. The 

 strong- and pungent smell of ammonia from decomposing urine and 

 manure, allowed to collect in some ill- ventilated and badly regulated stables, 

 should warn the horse owner that the health of his horses is endangered 

 by such emanations. For cataract there is no cure or treatment that the 

 amateur can with safety and propriety adopt, except in cases arising from 

 a blow and inflammation therefrom, when the constant application of cold 

 spring water, with an ounce of laudanum to a pint, may be useful. 

 Avoid the causes by order and cleanliness in the stable, aud ensure abun- 

 dance of fresh air by the adoption of a sensible system of ventilation ; and 

 in all cases, whilst providing plenty of light, do not let it be glaring, but 

 have the walls of a subdued colour. In cases of doubt, in this as in all 

 other equine diseases, consult a qualified veterinary surgeon. 



Catarrh. — In its simple form catarrh or common cold is very easily 

 managed, but as serious consequences arise from its neglect the first 

 symptoms should receive prompt attention. Catarrh is attended with a 

 slight deflux or discharge from the nose, and to this horses are very liable, 

 because, unlike man, he breathes only through the nose, for which reason 

 the nostrils are formed very wide, and the air passages are thereby some- 

 what more directly exposed to the consequences of sudden change or 

 any other cause producing irritation of their lining membrane. As a cold 

 unchecked is apt to extend to the larynx, bronchial tubes, and lungs, 

 it becomes very necessary to be on guard and adopt precautionary 

 measures to prevent such serious consecpiences. The appearance of the 

 inside of the nose, especially of the septum— that is, the membrane which 

 divides the nostrils — is such a delicate index of danger, threatened or 

 existent, that most writers lay great stress on the importance of horse 

 owners making themselves thoroughly familiar with its healthy and 

 natural 'appearance, that they may detect change and prepare to meet the 

 enemy half way ; and the following remarks by Mr. Youatt are so plain 

 and to the point, and will be of such practical use to those who will study and 

 apply them, that I give them, in extenso : " It is the custom of almost every 

 horseman, who takes pains to ascertain the state of his patient, to turn 

 down the lower eyelid, and to form his opinion of the degree of general 

 inflammation by the colour which the lining membrane of the lid presents. 

 If it is very red, he concludes that there is considerable fever ; if it is 

 of a pale pinkish hue, there is comparatively little danger. This is a very 

 important examination, and the conclusion he draws from it is generally 

 true ; but on the septum of the nose he has a membrane more immediately 

 continuous with those of the respiratory organs, more easily got at, pre- 

 senting a larger surface, the ramifications of the blood vessels better seen, 

 and, what is truly important, indicating not only the general affection of 

 the membranes, but of those with which he is most of all concerned. We 

 would therefore say to every horseman, study the character cf that 



