ON CATARACT. 
By Mr. Harris, V, $., Bromyard. 
[Mr. Harris had modestly affixed the signature of “A Veteri¬ 
nary Surgeon” to this letter; but, although the confession of 
his name added to this was a satisfactory voucher so far as we 
were concerned, yet, considering the importance of the facts 
communicated, we have, in justice to the public and to Mr. 
Harris himself, ventured to affix the name of our correspondent.] 
It has been with me a cause for wonder and regret, that, of the 
many interesting subjects which have occasionally occupied the 
pages of The Veterinarian, and often involving disputed 
or unsettled points, few have been discussed in the manner 
which their importance demands. Cataract, I am glad to see, is 
an exception. Some valuable papers have appeared on it. Never¬ 
theless the subject is not exhausted ; and therefore, without com¬ 
ment on what has been written, or fully recording my own 
opinion on the subject, I send you three cases which have oc¬ 
curred in my practice, and which supply some points that are 
not yet, as I think, filled up. 
A bay mare, now coming five years old, when first broken, 
two years ago, was accidentally submitted to my inspection. I 
perceived two small cataracts in the off eye. After close inquiry 
I could not hear that any symptoms of inflammation had been 
observed; and from that time until now, although she has been 
more than commonly exposed to the exciting causes of ophthal¬ 
mia, namely, alternations from warm stables, corn, and severe 
work, to turning out in all seasons when not wanted, the disease 
has not only not progressed, but when, a week ago, she came 
under my treatment for lameness, there was but one cataract re¬ 
maining. 
An otherwise healthy foal w as observed to have defective eyes, 
and I was requested to see him on, I think, the second day after 
birth, when I discovered a large cataract in the centre of each 
eye (without the slightest appearance of inflammation), and 
which nearly destroyed vision in a strong light, and caused him 
to roam about and turn his head in different directions, in order 
to catch a sight of the objects around him ; but when he w ? as 
removed to a dark stable he appeared satisfied, and like other 
foals. This I thought a good case for an operation; but before I 
had procured instruments, and was otherwise prepared, he was 
purposely destroyed, or, as 1 was informed, carried ofl by some 
disease. I could never get at the perfect truth about this; but 
