4-6 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 
and its consequent pressure on the optic nerve or on the 
retina, and thus destroying its function. 
Cures in this disease are very few in the horse. Bleeding, 
medicine, and the rowel have been mentioned as remedies ; 
but from the nature of the disease we have but little faith in 
them. Indeed we doubt if ever the cure of a confirmed case of 
gutta serena, or glass eye, has ever been effected. Bleeding, 
when determination of blood to the head is suspected, may 
prevent this malady; but after the pressure on the optic 
nerve has produced the dilation, I consider the case hopeless. 
GENERAL BLINDNESS AND IMPERFECT VISION. 
No subject is of greater importance than the state of a 
horse’s organs of vision, and ought to occupy the first 
attention of a purchaser; for blindness, or a partial defect 
in the eyes, may lead to many unpleasant consequences to 
the proprietor, whether in riding or driving. It will require 
considerable knowledge of the anatomical construction of the 
eye to enable any one to judge correctly of its perfection 
or defects. 
Independently of the beauty of a prominent eye, it is oi 
much importance that the cornea should possess considerable 
convexity ; but this must have a limit. If very prominent, 
the rays of light will be too convergent, which will cause 
indistinct vision ; on the other hand, if the cornea be small 
and flat, the rays may not be sufficiently convergent, and 
consequently will render the vision imperfect. A horse 
is unsafe with either of these defects, both in riding and 
driving, as he is certain to start at objects which suddenly 
present themselves, or he may quickly bolt round, and in 
either case may over-balance the rider, or upset a vehicle. 
The cornea should, therefore, be moderately convex, 
perfectly transparent, and totally free from all opacity or 
