796 
LIVERPOOL VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. 
the lids morning and night; also for its action on the pupil, causing dila¬ 
tation of the iris, and, consequently, breaking up or assisting in the 
prevention of adhesions. 
Depletive measures are the ones to which we are led to look for the 
greatest benefit; and to such an extent have they been carried that not 
only have the local arteries been stopped but even the carotid. What 
benefit would be expected from such a course I am at a loss to say; but 
as it has been proved a failure we need consider it no further. When 
the system has become affected by the above treatment, and the acute 
symptoms are gradually subsiding, and you see the cornea and iris 
brighten, the aqueous humour clear, and the lymph becoming absorbed. 
You may encourage them by the administration of tonics and absorbents 
internally and externally. For the former I recommend Cupri Sul¬ 
phas, 5j to Iodine daily externally ; silk setons through the lids as re¬ 
commended by Mr. Percival, and seton through the cheeks, or the appli¬ 
cation of an absorbent blister round the lids, and the mercurial and 
creosote ointment to the ball itself Solution of nitrate of silver, Cupri 
Sulphas, and sulphate of zinc, have all been used with less or more 
success; but had I a case to treat at this stage, I should be inclined to try 
the mercury and creosote, or a weak lotion of the tincture of iodine. 
I have now finished what certainly is not one of the most interesting 
subjects of the day, but yet which when we are called on to treat, demands 
our most serious consideration and attention; for should we not succeed 
in restoring perfect and uninterrupted sight, we had better almost have 
left it alone; for who would risk his neck riding or driving a shying 
horse—the worst fault almost ahorse can have, and a certain consequence 
of partial vision ? 
However, I hope that amid the discussion on laminitis, the education 
of future veterinary surgeons, and the various schemes afoot for the ad¬ 
vancement of the veterinary science, my few remarks may not be alto¬ 
gether uninteresting or not sufficiently so to provoke a lively discussion. 
Finally, I thank you for your kind attention. 
The President, alluding to the poor attendance, deplored the 
want of interest on professional subjects exhibited by the members, 
especially by those who practise in the town where the meetings 
are held. After eulogising the manner in which the essayist had 
introduced his subject, the President stated that in his experience 
specific ophthalmia was much more uncommon now than formerly, 
attributable, in some degree, to the improvement that had taken 
place in the breed of horses, but more especially to the greater care 
that is now bestowed upon the management of horses generally, and 
to the more efficient ventilation of their stables in particular. He 
had tried most kinds of treatment—bleeding setons, belladonna, 
calomel, &c.—but did not believe in any as a cure for constitutional 
ophthalmia. He intended to have brought, for the inspection of the 
members, a newly invented instrument—the ophthalmoscope—but 
unfortunately discovered when too late he had left it at home. This 
instrument enabled the practitioner to see more clearly into the 
interior of the eyeball. It was highly esteemed by Professor 
Williams, of Edinburgh, who extensively adopted its use in his ex¬ 
aminations. He was glad to hear of the introduction of new instru¬ 
ments, the use of which would advance the cause of veterinary 
science, and doubted not that, if the ophthalmoscope was really an 
