CLINICAL CHRONICLES 
499 
aqueous chamber of the eye a threadlike parasite. Several weeks 
previous, the owners of the animal had noticed a whitish appear¬ 
ance of the cornea, and closer inspection revealed the presence of 
a delicate worm, about four inches in length, and scarcely the 
thickness of a thread, swimming about in the aqueous humor, 
moving incessantly. At the time of examination, considerable 
keratitis existed with marked opacity of the cornea. 
As the presence of the filarla did not interfere with the general 
health of the animal, or with the performance of his work, the 
owners naturally hesitated about the performance of an operation 
for its removal, which, as the horse was of a vicious disposition, 
and particularly rebellious to any manipulation in the vicinity of 
the affected eye, would necessitate his being cast and anaesthetized. 
However, he was again sent to the hospital on the 5th of January, 
with directions that the necessary steps for the removal of the 
parasite should be taken. 
At four o’clock on the 9th, after the usual preparatory 
measures had been taken, the horse was cast and anaesthetic 
ether administered by inhalation. The stage of preliminary ex¬ 
citement, which lasted about five minutes and during which time 
the animal had received about two ounces of ether, had scarcely 
terminated and the operator was about to proceed, when the 
pulse, which had hitherto been strong and regular, became sud¬ 
denly imperceptible; two deep and rapid inspirations were taken, 
followed by a general convulsive movement, then respiration 
ceased. The ether was removed on the first appearance of the 
alarming symptoms. Artificial respiration was immediately re¬ 
sorted to, and kept up for an hour, during which time intravenous 
injections of ammonia were given with inhalations of the nitrite 
of amyl. Blood was copiously extracted through the jugular 
vein, but animation could not be restored. 
In the meantime an incision was made in the cornea near its 
junction with the sclerotic, with a Beer’s knife, which was 
then given a gentle rotatory movement, thus allowing the aqueous 
humor to escape. The parasite refused to flow out with the 
liquid and was drawn forth by a pair of forceps, which were in¬ 
troduced into the anterior chamber through the incision. 
