60 LACERATED EYELID. 
LACERATED EYELID. 
Horses frequently endeavor to amuse the weary hours by a playful 
game with one another; if accident results, it is not wholly the fault of 
the guileless animals; they are tied to the mangers; they cannot exert 
their activity; otherwise their principal enjoyment resides in the free- 
dom of their heels. And looking at a blank mass of monotonous 
white for many hours may have disabled the sight or have confused the 
judgment. 
The groom being absent, advantage is taken of the event to have a 
romp. The animals snap at one another over the divisions to their 
stalls; often the amusement extends, and four or five heads may be be- 
held united in the sport. Generally, however, the game is confined to 
two players; but, either way, no injury is meant; the teeth rattle, but 
they are intended to close upon empty space. However, man has to 
bear the consequences which his errors provoke. That species of con- 
finement to which horses are subjected renders the judgment uncertain 
and the sight untrue. The animal pretends to snap, but, either from 
one head not being removed quick enough or from the other head being 
protruded too far, the teeth catch the eyelid and divide it through the 
center. The injury is not very serious, for had malice impelled the 
assault, much more than an eyelid would have been grasped between 
the jaws. 
In other cases, the groom has driven nails into the wall of the gang- 
way; grooms are fond of seeing the stable decora- 
ted with pendant objects of various kinds. So long 
as the nails are occupied, little danger ensues; but 
they are apt to be left vacant, and horses are con- 
~, for the servant obliges the animal, very often, to 
@ keep close to the wall; the projecting nail catches 
the lid of the eye, and a long rent, commencing upon 
the outer side, usually results. 
Such an injury creates great alarm, but it is less serious than it ap- 
pears to be. Let the wound, from whatever cause it springs, be well 
bathed with a soft sponge and cold water; this should be done till the 
bleeding ceases. Afterward, the wound should be let alone for two or 
three hours, that the edges may become partially sticky; then let there 
be procured a loug piece of strong thread, having a needle at each end; 
the needles should be new, very sharp, and of the stronger sort em- 
ployed by glovers. Let all the punctures be made from within out- 
EYELID TORN BY A NAIL. 
