OF VHTERIXARV MEDICINE. 253 



keep this up for about two weeks. Give iron, arsenic and vege- 

 table bitters. 



ONANISM. 



The word "onanism" mean alone. It is masturbation on the 

 part of the animal. The act becomes a habit and leads to gen- 

 eral debility. It produces softening of the brain and will eventu- 

 ally cause death. Horses are very subject to it and the habit 

 ruins young studs. The offspring of such an animal will be 

 weak and inferior. The horse should be watched and exercised. 

 Attend to the hygiene. \'arious mechanical appliances are used 

 to prevent the acts of self abuse, and when these fail castratiori 

 is the only remedy. 



DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF SPECIAL SENSE. 



SmPLE OPHTHAL^IIA. • 



Simple ophthalmia is inflammation of the conjunctiva. It is 

 usually the result of some foreign body being introduced into the 

 eye or the extension of some inflammation through the lach- 

 rymal ducts in catarrh or glanders. It is often caused by facing 

 a cold wind in long drives or from caustic substances getting into 

 the eye. 



The eyelids are more or less swollen and the extreme sensi- 

 tiveness of the eye causes the animal to keep the eyelids shut. 

 There is more or less pain and a copious discharge of tears. 

 The cornea becomes inflamed if the condition lasts long and it 

 becomes opaque. 



Examine the eye for a foreign body and if found remove it. 

 This is best done with a pair of curved forceps holding the 

 curved side toward the eye so as not to injure it. Foreign bodies 

 become embedded in the mucous membrane, which closes around 

 them, so look carefully. You will recognize the presence of one 

 by the local swelling where the body is and you can often as it 

 were break down the mucous membrane and get at it by curret- 

 ting the most prominent point. 



