CHAPTER IV.—PART I.

DISEASES OF THE EYES

Albugo, or Spot in the Eye, Opacity of the Cornea

In consequence of a blow, stroke of a whip, or similar injury, an inflammatory action is set up in the eye, the result of which is an effusion of serum between the lamina of the outer coating of the eye, which renders the cornea or clear part of the eye, whitish or opaque in spots, interfering materially with the sight and usefulness of the organ. But little can be done to remove those of long standing, but recent cases, or those where inflammation is just subsiding and the opacity only forming, will be dispelled by frequently bathing the eye with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and giving fifteen drops of A.A., three times per day. In many cases of opacity a portion of soft honey, the size of a small pea, put in the eye daily, has been known to have a wonderful effect in removing such opacities.

Amaurosis, Gutta Serena

This disease consists in entire or partial loss of vision in consequence of paralysis of the optic nerve, or interruption of its communication with the brain. Injuries of the head, or ball of the eye, or some disease of the brain, are the usual causes. The horse walks cautiously, head elevated, and ears move quickly backward and forward, the eye has a peculiar glassy appearance, and the pupil does not dilate and contract when light is brought near or removed from the eye.

But little can be done for these cases. In the earlier stages a dose of A.A., may possibly arrest its progress, but generally it is incurable in man or beast.

Cataract

In consequence of injuries to the eye, blows, contusions, etc., or as a consequence of severe and repeated inflammation, the crystalline lens becomes opaque so as to interfere with or altogether destroy the sight. On examining the eye, deep in the pupil, a whitish, yellowish, or brownish body is discoverable. Sometimes, especially in the commencement, white streaks run from the center outward, or the whole chamber within the pupil looks dim and whitish.

Old Cataracts are incurable, but recent and forming cases may be benefited by giving A.A. and B.B., a dose of fifteen drops, every night, alternately.

Ophthalmia, Inflammation of the Eye

There are in the horse two well marked forms of sore or inflamed eyes. ACUTE OPHTHALMIA and PERIODIC or MOON BLINDNESS. Acute inflammation occurs usually in consequence of some irritating substance, hay seed, dust, etc., having got into the eye, or from overheating, heated foot, or from hereditary predisposition.

SYMPTOMS.—It comes on with heat and uneasiness, the animal keeps the eye closed, or dreads the light, the eye-ball and inside of the lid look red, and the ball is protruded and the eye secretes a quantity of water, which runs down on the cheek, or of humor, which becomes purulent, and glues the lids together. The cornea is dim and whitish, or covered with a scum, the haw is swollen and red.

TREATMENT.—Examine the eye for dirt, hay seed, hair, or other substances, and if found, carefully remove them. They are more frequently under the upper lid, which may be turned inside out over the point of the finger, by taking the lashes between the finger and thumb, and turning the lid upward. The eyes should be bathed with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, diluted one-half with water, or if this be not at hand, make a lotion by putting four or five drops of A.A., in a half-pint of pure, soft water, and the eye should be bathed with this two or three times per day, so long as the heat and swelling exist. Give at the same time, in recent cases, fifteen drops of A.A., four times per day, and in old cases the same dose morning and night. Arnica is of little consequence, except where the inflammation is the result of a bruise.

PERIODIC OPHTHALMIA is really a general affection, the result of teething, and usually appears on the cutting of the middle incisors, the molars, and tusks, and hence, at the age of from three to five years.

SYMPTOMS.—Generally only one eye is attacked; the eye looks smaller, swims in tears, and is sensitive to the light, the cornea becomes dim and leaden, and the lens look gray. The pulse is full and frequent; the mouth hot, tongue dry, the water scanty and bowels constipated. There is evidently feverish excitement of the system and congestion of the blood to the head. Not unfrequently the inflammation passes from one eye to the other. Severe or repeated attacks are very apt to return again or leave as results, dimness of the cornea, opacity of the lens or cataract behind them.

TREATMENT.—Exclude the animal from the glare of the light, and give at once ten drops of A.A., every four or six hours. Bathe the eye from time to time with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL diluted with an equal quantity of soft water, or with the lotion mentioned in the case of Acute Ophthalmia. Keep him on low diet and the case will generally be soon relieved. As the eye improves, the intervals between the doses of medicine should be prolonged. Often a dose night and morning is sufficient. Given early it will prevent the development of serious consequences.

The Haw

We mention in this connection a curious mechanism of the eye more to guard against abuses than to cure disease. Concealed within the inner corner of the eye, the margin only visible, is a black or pied triangular-shapen cartilage called THE HAW, with its broad part forward. It is concave, exactly to suit the globe of the eye, and convex without, so as to adapt itself to the mucous lining of the lid, and the base of it is reduced to a thin, sharp edge. At the will of the animal this is rapidly protruded from its hiding place, and passing swiftly over the eye, shovels up every nuisance mixed with tears, and then being suddenly drawn back, the dust or insect is wiped away as the haw again passes under the corner of the eye. The haw is subject in common with other parts of the eye to inflammation and swelling and senseless grooms term this “the HOOKS,” and have been known to draw the haw out and cut it off, to the lasting injury of the organ.

Such an inflammation only requires the usual treatment, and will be subdued by bathing the eye with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, diluted one-half water, and giving A.A. internally, ten drops as a dose and repeated morning and night.

Injuries to the Eye

Must be treated both internally and externally.

REMEDIES.—HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL and A.A.

The MARVEL, if the injury has been produced by a mechanical cause, as blows from a whip, punctures, etc., and there is much soreness and inflammation, it should be applied externally, in the form of a lotion of one part of MARVEL to three parts of water, and the injured part bathed three times a day, at the same time A.A. should be given internally.

The A.A. should be given, if there is much inflammation, or the eye is congested.

H.H. may be used later, if there is any dimness of the eye left.

Sometimes pieces of hay or chaff get into the eye and cause a great deal of irritation; of course the first thing to be done is to carefully remove them, and then apply the MARVEL, diluted with half water, which, in the majority of cases, is all that is necessary to be done.