-548 CASE OF INFLAMMATION AND LOSS OF SIGHT. 
I could easily perceive that it was quite blind of both eyes ; I also 
noticed its frequently putting out its tongue. 
As it proved difficult to examine it properly in the field, I 
ordered the attendants to take it up and put it into a loose box ; 
they accordingly did so, and I found the following unusual symp- 
toms : — Head and neck very much swollen — the breathing irre- 
gular and very laborious — the action of the heart very strong — 
the eyes enlarged and very much protruded — the conjunctiva 
highly injected and very red — and when the tip of the finger was 
placed upon or drawn over the pupil, the animal did not shew 
or notice any pain or sensation, or any indication of sight. The 
tongue was continually thrust as far out of the mouth as it could 
be, and was of a darkish red colour — the Schneiderian membrane 
was also injected and dark coloured — the bowels costive — the 
feeces voided in small button-like pieces, and the appetite impaired. 
The cause of the above complicated symptoms of inflammation 
and blindness I could not trace to any thing but the following. 
About a month before, one of the attendants had placed a strap 
round the calf’s neck, in order to fasten it. This strap had not 
been removed or slackened; consequently, as the little animal 
grew larger, its neck would increase gradually in thickness, and in 
time the strap become too tight to allow a free circulation of the 
blood, & c., and thereby cause a determination of blood to the 
head, which, in my opinion, had brought on the above unusually 
severe symptoms of inflammation, & c. This opinion was strength- 
ened by the symptoms coming on gradually, as the men said they 
had seen it look very curious and unwell for a few days before. 
As I stood and watched its motions, it was quite distressing to 
see the painful state in which it was. It could not rest in one 
posture above a minute at a time. It would stand quite still a 
second or two, and then start as if some one had struck it a heavy 
blow. It would next run with its head against the wall, and with so 
much force that it was in danger of injuring its head severely. 
All this might have been avoided, and the little animal have been 
Saved the pain and loss of sight, if the strap which was round 
its neck had been buckled a hole or two farther away. 
I laid hold of the strap in order to remove it, and found it to be 
so tight that I could not without much difficulty insert my 
fingers between it and the skin. I however unbuckled it, and re- 
moved it altogether from the neck. I then had recourse to blood- 
letting to syncope. I administered a brisk purgative, and ordered 
the head to be steamed with boiling vinegar in which a little sage 
was infused, and the steaming of the head to be repeated every 
twelve hours. I ordered it to be kept quiet in the box, and said 
that I would see it on the next morning. 
