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.