The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-09-22
AGRICULTURAL.
How Horses Eyes are Injured

1t has been observed that of all domestic
animals, the horse is the most afflicted with
diseases of the eye. Some of these ailments
are hereditary and from unknown causes
and these are of painful frequency-are not
inherited, and their origin may be readily
traced. OF this latter class OF causes may
be mentioned, insufficient or bad arrange
ment Of light in stables; blinkers, high racks
for feeding; ammonia fumes in stalls and
the whip! Although the eye of the horse is
we'll adapted for seeing at night, yet he is
not nocturnal animal, thersfore the stable
9hould have daylight freely admitted to It,
A dimly lighted stable imposes the sudden
changing from twilight to broad sunlight
which cannot fail to weaken the sight. If
the windows are arranged on one side or
the other OF a stall, the horses head will be
directed mostly to the side from which the
light comes; one eye will be more in the
eyes will be strained from being exposed to
unequal light. If the window is directly in
front OF the stall, glare of light is directed
toward the eyes with binding effect which
Is very injurious. Probably the best arrang-
ment for lighting stables is by means of a
skylight or windows placed near the cell
ing.
Much has been said against blinkers, yet
their use continues to a considerable extent
If the eyes of the horse, like those of man,
were directed forward, blinkers might prove
uncomfortable, but not injurious. The
range of vision in the horse is much greater
than in man: by limiting this range of Wis
ion and allowing it a forward direction only
which is not according to nature-the mus
Giles of the eyes become strained and their
strength impaired. Is it not reasonable to
suppose that the timid, nervous horse, that
starts at every unusual sight or sound, would
be inspired with more confidence if allowed
to see all there was to be seen, than if
straining the eyes painfully to see objects
terrible to him just back of the blinkers?
The position a horses head has to assume
when feeding from high rack is the one
most favorable for chaff or other hurtful
matter from the hay to fall into the eyes.
The most serious injury commonly arising
from this cause is from the boards of grain.
The sharp little hooks or prickles on these
attach themselves to the eye in snch way
that the water from the tear-gland cannot
wash out the boards; Inflammation follows,
and even the most judicious treatment can
not save the eye
Probably every one is familiar with the eff
fects of sniff from grandma's bottle of
hartshorn or smelling salts-which is only
ammonia under other names-and can i'm
agine how uncomfortable continued appl-
cation of the fumes would be. Of course
the ammonia fumes arising in even badly
kept stable would not be so concentrated as
those from the salts, yet they are of suffi-
Gent strength to seriously injure the sensi-
tive and delicately organized eye of the
horse. Well constructed floors, good man
agement, and cleanliness, are perfect RENE
dies for this enemy. Of all causes of blind
none prick us so sharply with our unworth-
mess to possess such animals as when it is
caused by the use Of the weip. No excuse
can be made for such accidents, whether
done in wanton carelessness or by cruel in
tent.-New York Tribune.