564 
MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 
BLINDNESS. 
It may naturally be supposed that this malady subjects 
the animal to the risk of accidents, and consequently such 
as become blind should be fed in an enclosure where there is 
no inequality of ground. 
Cause. —Blindness is frequently induced by removal from 
warm and sheltered localities to such as are exposed to cold 
winds and storms. Moist situations are also apt to produce 
blindness. Extreme heat has also the same effect, especi¬ 
ally in the dog-days. Poor feeding is likewise instrumental 
m producing blindness ; and that peculiar condition of the 
atmosphere, generally denominated blight, produces an affec¬ 
tion similar to what is called sty, upon the human eye. 
Remedies.—T he eye being an extremely delicate organ, 
cures should only be attempted by a veterinary surgeon. 
The ointment made from the nitric oxide of mercury, 
drawn across the eye-ball by a camel-hair pencil, or a 
feather, will frequently effect a cure ; and the common mer¬ 
curial ointment has been found beneficial. 
CATARRH. 
Symptoms. —The discharge of a purulent fetid matter 
from one or both nostrils, the membrane excoriated, ac¬ 
companied by dulness, and the wool parting easily from 
the skin, together with want of appetite, are symptomatic 
of this malady. 
Cause. —Subjection to wet or boggy layers in cold, wet 
weather, or during wind, as also exposure to damp situations 
during snow, are apt to produce catarrh. There can be little 
doubt but the disease is contagious, as it has been frequently 
observed, that when one animal has been seized with the com¬ 
plaint, others soon become infected. 
