LIGHT. 
365 
closed by a shutter, which is only occasionally opened. To 
this cause may be attributed many of the diseases to which 
the eyes of horses are liable, and ultimately blindness itself. 
It is easy to imagine what the animal must feel, and the 
consequences which are likely to be the result, from our own 
painful and giddy sensations on issuing from a dark place to 
the full blaze of the noonday sun, or even when a candle is 
introduced, after sitting for some time in a dark room. A 
repetition of this several times during the day would in¬ 
evitably be attended with most injurious consequences, from 
the sudden shock it gives to the optic nerve, and the vessels 
of the retina Besides, it may produce inflammation in the 
coating of the eye, which may end in the total destruction 
of the organ. There can be little doubt but horses that 
are liable to start at objects, frequently owe this dangerous 
quality to the cause above alluded to. 
A stable ought to be as well lighted as a house, so that 
this source of injury may be avoided, and also on account 
of all parts of it being properly seen, so that masters may 
be enabled to detect a want of due attention to cleanliness, 
a subject which we cannot too often impress upon masters 
and servants. 
In stables which have a due quantity of light, the shut¬ 
ters may be partially closed when the animals have fed 
properly, and lie down to sleep. Many horses stand too 
long upon their limbs, and therefore this subdued light is 
more apt to produce drowsiness, and thus incline him to 
repose, during which time the food is well known to have 
the most salutary effect in increasing the muscular fibre, 
and the cellular and adipose substances. 
While we have shown the utility of a well-lighted stable, 
we would guard our readers against allowing that part of 
the wall next the head of the horse being too light; because 
