DOGS : THEIR MANAGBMKKT. 429 



Most writers describe a regular series of disorders asso- 

 ciated with, the eye of the dog. I must be permitted to 

 recite only those which I have witnessed ; and surely, if 

 the diseases which the writers alluded to above have 

 mentioned do exist, I must have encountered some soli- 

 tary instance of each of them ; instead of which, I have 

 been honored by the confidence of all classes, and have 

 after all to confess I have not witnessed a specimen of 

 genuine ophthalmia in this animal. 



Cataract. — This derangement of the visual organ is 

 very common with the dog. Every old animal that has 

 lost his eyesight is nearly certain to be blind from cata- 

 ract. The optic nerve appears to have retained its 

 health long after the crystalline lens has parted with its 

 transparency. The latter becomes opaque, while circum- 

 stances allow us to infer the former is yet in vigor ; for 

 certainly dogs do see through lenses, the milky or chalky 

 aspect of which would justify us in pronouncing the 

 sight quite gone. There is no precise time when cata- 

 ract makes its appearance. It may come on at any 

 period or at any age. It may be rapid or slow in its 

 formation ; but from its generally known habit, we should 

 be inclined to say it was rather slow than otherwise ; 

 though upon this point the author can speak with no 

 certainty. No breed appears to be specially liable to it, 

 but all seem to be exposed to it alike. The small-bred. 



