52 INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 



attacks of staggers, and ultimately recovers, this spe- 

 cies of blindness will often be left behind ; no opera- 

 tion can remove this affliction, which is beyond the 

 reach of medicine. 



When, however, gutta serena, or amaurosis, is the 

 consequence of any affection of a temporary cha- 

 racter, it sometimes, but very rarely, disappears with 

 the cause to which it owes its origin. With the re- 

 storation of strength the sight may be recovered ; for 

 weakness is a well-recognized cause of this affection. 

 Exhaustion from fast driving may induce it ; so also 

 may excessive bleeding, lingering disease, or con- 

 tinued debility arising from any source. Blows upon 

 the head may also occasion it, by inducing congestion 

 of the brain, or effusion and pressure upon the optic 

 nerve. Cart-horses are too frequently struck with 

 the butt end of the whip upon the poll ; and gutta 

 serena is not rare among animals of this description. 

 Such horses are predisposed to congestion, because of 

 their loose and flabby structure. These horses are 

 also very irregularly and badly fed; nothing more 

 disposes to staggers than the too suddenly overgorging 

 the stomach with food containing much water and 

 small nutriment after long-continued fasting. The 

 introduction of the nose-bag has greatly contributed 

 to render this disease less frequent th n it used to be ; 

 but a change of diet and of treatment is required 

 to eradicate it. . 



