CHAPTER VIII, 
THE EYE AND EAR, 
SIMPLE INFLAMMATION OF THE EYE. 
(Hs is the most common disease of the eye to which the horse is 
a subject, and may affect merely the outer lining, or may involve the 
whole structure. Its causes are catarrh, bad food, damp or poorly- 
«@? ventilated stables, injuries from a stick or whip, the bite of another 
horse, hay-seed, dust, in-growing eyelash, or other mechanical agencies. 
Synptoms.—The horse, in apparent health before, has slight symptoms 
of fever; the lids of one eye or both swollen or half-closed; scalding tears 
run down the face and irritate the skin; great pain caused by the light, and 
consequent reluctance to open the eyes. Later, a gummy, thickish, 
mucous secretion at the corners glues the lids together; the membrane 
covering the balls becomes red and covered with a network of fine blood- 
vessels; about the third day the transparent front part of the ball grows 
dim and muddy, sometimes in spots, sometimes the whole surface, seemingly 
covered: with a bluish-white film; the disease continuing, the transparent. 
front of the eye is seriously affected, and the whole eye suffers. In acute 
cases considerable fever-symptoms appear. 
TREATMENT.—One of the best remedies is aconite, which should be 
given at the beginning when the membrane attached to the eyeball is blood- 
shot, the eyes are watery, the lids nearly closed, and particularly if feverish- 
ness be present. When the inflammation has been reduced by aconite and 
the case is yet marked by copious and scalding tears, sensitiveness to 
the light, swollen and closed eyelids, red membrane of the eye, and quick- 
ened pulse, belladonna should be given, alone, or in alternation with 
aconite. Mercurius corrosivus is needed when the secretion in the corners 
glues the lids, and when the transparent front of the ball becomes dim or 
cloudy. Euphrasia is often useful for symptoms which seem to call for 
belladonna and yet have not been removed by its use, or if after the use of 
the same for several days the transparent front is still dim and cloudy. The 
euphrasia may also be used as a wash. 
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