48 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
light, if, however, the horse is examined in the open air 
and distant from a stable, place the hand over one eye, and 
then observe, after it has obscured it from the light for a 
little while, whether the pupil contracts. Repeat the same 
experiment with the other eye also. 
FRACTURE OF THE SKULL. 
The admirable construction of the skull of a horse, as 
will be seen in our anatomical description, renders a frac¬ 
ture a thing of rare occurrence. And such is the force 
required to produce such an effect, that it almost invariably 
proves fatal by injuring the brain. Horses that rear, and 
in that act fall, sometimes fracture their skull, and in some 
instances blows inflicted by their grooms with a heavy 
weapon may have the effect of fracturing the skull. There 
is little hope of a cure, except with the assistance of a 
regular veterinary surgeon. But in case one is not to be 
had immediately, the parts of the bones should be replaced 
and held together by the aid of adhesive plaster. Bleeding 
and low feeding must be resorted to, together with small 
doses of medicine. 
CHAPTER II. 
DISEASES OF THE NECK AND CONTIGUOUS PARTS. 
POLL-EVIL. 
Symptoms. —This disease consists of an inflammation of 
the muscle over the poll-bone and the first vertebra of the 
neck. It generally extends under the ligament of the 
