DISEASES OF THE EYE. 
47 
cloudiness over its entire surface. The best method of 
examining this organ is to place the cheek of the scrutinizer 
close to the cheek of the horse, both behind and under the 
eye, and the latter position is the most advantageous to see 
it thoroughly. The open air is not favourable for such an 
examination. The head of the horse should be a little 
within the doorway of a stable, and by looking outwards 
any defect is rendered more visible. If any faint, whitish, 
milky-like streaks be noticed passing over the cornea, it is 
certain the animal has had inflammation in that portion of 
the eye. But, should the centre part of the cornea be per¬ 
fectly transparent, and yet the margin of it, where it unites 
with the sclerotica, have a hazy ring, it may be concluded 
that this has been occasioned by recent inflammation, and 
consequently the eye will be predisposed to a return of it. 
During the operation of thus inspecting the eye, no white 
or pale-coloured object should be near, as its form and great 
transparency are very likely to reflect these rays, and may 
deceive the person examining the organ. 
Attention to the dilation and contraction of the pupil 
will materially aid a person in the detection of blindness or 
otherwise. When the cornea and crystalline lens are quitt 
transparent, with the retina paralysed, and of course not 
liable to be affected by light, blindness in one or both eyes 
will be extremely difficult of detection. It generally hap¬ 
pens, when a horse is totally blind, he has a constant and 
rapid motion in his ears. He also lifts his feet high, as if 
some obstacle presented itself, and he puts his feet to the 
ground with a cautious uncertainty. Particular attention 
should be directed to the pupils of both eyes, and to 
noticing whether they are both of a size while he is in the 
stable ; and as he approaches the door, observe whether both 
pupils contract equally as they are subjected to the stronger 
