536 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



Cause. — Blindness is frequently induced by re- 

 moval from warm and sheltered localities to such as 

 are exposed to cold winds and storms. Moist situa- 

 tions are also apt to produce blindness. Exteme 

 heat has also the same effect, especially in the dog- 

 days. Poor feeding is likewise instrumental in 

 producing blindness ; and that peculiar condition 

 of the atmosphere, generally denominated blight, 

 produces an affection similar to what is called sty 

 upon the human eye. When the cases are numerous 

 in the flock, and at the same period in summer, it 

 is caused by the dust of the grasses at the flowering 

 season. 



Remedies. — The eye being an extremely delicate 

 organ, cures should only be attempted by a veterinary 

 surofeon. The ointment made from the nitric oxide 

 of mercury, drawn across the eye-ball by a camel- 

 hair pencil, or a feather, will frequently effect a cure ; 

 and the common mercurial ointment has been found 

 beneficial. 



CATARRH. 



Symptoms. — The discharge of a purulent fetid 

 matter from one or both nostrils, the membrane 

 excoriated, accompanied by dullness, and the wool 

 parting easily from the skin, together with want of 

 appetite, are symptomatic of this malady. 



Cause. — Subjection to wet or boggy layers in 

 cold, wet weather, or during wind, as also exposure 

 to damp situations during snow, are apt to produce 

 catarrh. There can be little doubt but the disease 

 is sometimes contagious, as it has been frequently 

 observed, that when one animal has been seized 

 with the complaint, others soon become infected. 



