Man is too proud to learn from nature, or he might observe horses always depress their heads when in the field. The common parent, with care for all her children's comfort, makes the animal stoop to crop the herbage; man causes the creature to upraise and outstretch the neck to reach its sustenance. However, the horse is not always free from accidents when it quits the stall. Carters often amuse the weary way by striking what they term a "stubborn and foolish horse" over the head with the butt end of the whip. This action, though most irritating to witness, is generally less important in its results than any of the injuries previously remarked upon. The lid shields the eye; consequently, a largely swollen covering and a slightly injured membrane are the consequences.
Many brutal drivers have "a happy nack" of kicking at the head of a fallen animal to make it rise. This act may extinguish vision or provoke simple ophthalmia; but, it is hoped, all such are exceptional cases, therefore these are willingly not remarked upon.
Frequently horses try to while away the long hours of confinement by playing with one another; one horse will lean its head over the division to the stalls and for hours together lick its fellow prisoner's neck. Sometimes a day's rest begets high spirits, and the animals indulge in a more boisterous amusement; they bite and snap at one another's heads. Domestication has, however, disabled the creature to nicely measure distances; standing all day long with the nose close to a glaring white wall has probably impaired the vision. One horse projects its teeth too far; they simply graze the eye; but a small flap of membrane is the consequence. The bite of an enraged horse is fearful; and were not the animal gently inclined, more than a minute portion of fine skin would testify its intention. Simple ophthalmia, accompanied with a small abscess upon the cornea, is the result.
The treatment of simple ophthalmia is somewhat homely. Put on a bridle, or a leather head-stall; or a halter will answer the purpose; fasten a cord loosely to either side, so that it may cross the forehead; on this line suspend a cloth several times doubled; but, mind it is large enough to cover both eyes, for the visual organs are so sympathetic, that when one is inflamed the other is very likely to exhibit disease. Keep the cloth continually dripping with the following lotion.
A READY MODE OF BLINDING A HORSE, AND
OF APPLYING A LOTION TO THE EYES IN
SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA.
Fill a two-quart saucepan with poppy heads, cover these with water; boil, till the poppy heads are quite soft; pour off the liquor, strain, filter, and, adding thereto one ounce of tincture of arnica, the preparation, when cold, is fit for use.
On the first morning, an inspection should be gently attempted; for the eye is generally so very tender, and the animal so resistful, that no examination at that time is generally satisfactory. On the following day, however, the lotion will have reduced the swelling, mitigated the agony, and have enabled the horse to be more obedient; then make another and a thorough examination. The skin upon the eye will be white and opaque, the lining of the lid inflamed, while numerous tears will pour down the cheek according to the severity of the injury. Remove any substance found underneath the eyelid. If the hay-seed or sharp particle shaken from the provender stick firmly into the outer covering of the eye, grasp it tightly with a pair of forceps, and endeavor to pull it out. Should it be fixed too deeply for any ordinary force to move it, do not exert all your power, but take a sharp-pointed knife, which is better than a lancet, because more under command, and placing its tip below the obstacle, with a motion, of the wrist oblige it to quit its situation or to come forth between the ends of the forceps.
AN EYE RECENTLY AFFECTED WITH SIMPLE OPHTHALMIA.