4 72 REMOVAL OF A WORM FROM THE EYE OF A HORSE. 
free from any perceptible inflammation. The aqueous and other 
humours were in a perfectly natural state. A worm had been 
distinctly seen for several days moving about the whole circum- 
ference of the anterior chamber, exactly like an eel in a basin of 
water, apparently in the full enjoyment of its natural element. 
It was nearly, if not quite, an inch long, of the diameter of 
sewing silk, and of a beautiful silver whiteness. 
Having previously secured the animal by casting him on a soft 
bed of straw, in a strong light, several persons held his head 
down securely. In the presence of many sporting gentlemen 
(one of whom secured the upper lid with Pellier’s silver eleva- 
tor) with a common cataract knife I made a free crucial incision 
into the cornea, below the pupil. The aqueous humour all escap- 
ing in a sudden gush, brought in its tide the worm with it, which 
did not long survive the change of its situation, continuing to 
writhe about as if in the agonies of death. 
The eve was now secured, much after the same manner as 
after the operation for extraction of the cataract from the human 
eye, taking measures to prevent the animal from rubbing it 
against the manger. The wound healed without a bad symp- 
tom ; the aqueous humour was soon re-produced ; the sight was 
not in the least degree injured ; and the animal rapidly improved 
in health, and became a great and deserved favourite on the turf 
at Calcutta, where he was afterwards sent, and won many races. 
It is well to observe, that in performing this operation a strong 
light is desirable, as it is a satisfaction to the operator to see if 
the worm comes away with the aqueous humour. I have in two 
instances performed this operation, when the aqueous humour 
spirted into my face, and then fell on the ground, and the worm 
could not be found, although from the favourable issue of the 
cases I infer that it must have come away. The worm does not 
always confine itself to the aqueous humour in the anterior cham- 
ber. I have seen it disappear, apparently, behind the iris, and 
return again through the pupil. 
One cannot but conceive, that much mischief is likely to arise 
from the long continuance of the worm, even in the anterior 
chamber. How much more injurious would it be in the posterior 
and more sensitive parts of the organ, and out of the reach of ob- 
servation. It is true, that I have no means of knowing it to be 
the fact; but, nevertheless, I firmly believe, judging from proba- 
bility alone, that many eyes are lost from the same cause, sim- 
ply by the inflammation and ulceration which are likely to be 
produced by the presence of an irritating foreign body of this 
kind. 
Lancet, 18‘3()-7, vol. ii, p. 690. 
