Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 3 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
1st. =Ample breadth between the orbits.= This is of great importance in
the horse, in which we seek for intelligence, courage and indomitable
energy. This confirmation does not indicate the size of brain, as the
cranium is situated higher up, but by placing the eyes well outward, it
indicates a wider range of vision, and usually implies large, clear
eyes, and since interdependent parts tend to correspond in development
and quality, this commanding vision bespeaks a large, active brain,
intelligence, docility and activity.
2d. =Full, prominent eyes.= This may be excessive, either through
primary conformation or disease. Abnormal convexity of the cornea
implies myopia. But within normal limits the prominent eye suggests good
health, condition and vigor, with ample cushions of fat under the bulb
and a sound, well-developed condition of the eyeball and its muscles.
3d. =Both eyes equal in all respects.= Any variation in size, shape,
color, fullness, clearness or in any other respect is at best unsightly,
and implies not only defect but often disease as well.
4th. =The iris should be lustrous, uniform in color and even in
surface.= Whether dark brown as in the horse, or yellow as in the dog,
it should be brilliant. Any part that lacks lustre, being lighter brown,
or yellow and dull like a dead leaf, usually indicates previous disease
and a tendency to further trouble. Albinos and those in which the
pigment is congenitally absent in patches must be considered as
exceptions, yet, even in them, the peculiarity cannot be held to add to
the beauty.
5th. =All the Media (Cornea, aqueous humor, lens and vitreous) must be
perfectly clear and translucent.= The slightest cloudiness or opacity in
any of these is a serious blemish and usually indicates disease, past or
present.
6th. =The pupil should promptly and freely respond to light and darkness
by contraction and expansion.= Absence or tardiness of movement
indicates impaired vision, from disease of the eye, its nerves, or their
nerve centres.
7th. =Each cornea should have a median convexity, uniform in all
directions implying the absence of myopia, preshyopia and astigmatism.=
Any deviation from this will interfere with the perfection of sight, and
endanger shying and other troubles.
8th. =Under ordinary light the pupil should appear black throughout.= In
the larger animals such dilation of the pupil as to expose the tapetum
lucidum under such circumstances implies impaired vision (amblyopia,
amaurosis), inflammation of the iris or undue intraocular pressure. A
white color or spot shows cataract.
9th. =The lids must be open and mobile without excessive dilation.=
Tardily moving or semi-closed lids, distorted by scar or angle, everted
or inverted, are unattractive and usually imply disease in the eye,
nerves or brain.
10th. =The unpigmented portion of the sclera should be light pink.= The
dark red of congestion and the pallor of anæmia are equally
objectionable.
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