ARTIFICIAL EYES FOR HORSES.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4462, 8 July 1875, Page 3

ARTIFICIAL EYES FOR HORSES.

(From Land and Water.) It is perhaps not generally known that artificial eyes are sometimes used in the equine, as ■ well as the human race. ■ Such, however, is the case, more especially on the Continent, whore' the disfigurement caused by the loss of the natural organ is occasionally removed'by the Use of an artificial eye. Some considerable attention seems to have been paid to this branch of the veterinary profession at Berlin', as we learn from the Veterinarian that Hertwig, professor at the Berlin Veterinary School, draws attention tp the recent improvements in the artificial eyes 'now used. ' It appeal's that artificial eyes, for horses were first used in 1850 by a veterinary surgeon of the Bavarian army, , named Schmidt. Glass was . first employed, since then porcelain and guttapercha have been tried ; the fragility of the first two and the softness of the latter, ha,ve, however, militated against their extensive use. Hertwig, however, has success-, fully employed'horn, which has the advantage of being lighter and less brittle than glass or porcelain, aud is also cheap. This eye is simply a smooth capsule, or shell, of dark-colored horn, made of various sizes to suit different orbits. The outer surface is higldy polished, and indented by. a circular narrow,groove to represent the pupil. The edges are well rounded and smooth', and when ready for use should weigh, from about five to a little over six aud a-half drachms. Hertwig also makes a more elaborate article mlt of white horn, with a brown his aud a dark-colored pupil. The • effect of this little work of art is stated to bo astonishing, the illusion being complete, as it looks exactly like the. real eye at the distance. The use of the artificial eye is said to cause no discomfort to the animal, if hot applied till the inflammation, supporation, &c., of the lost eye have disappeared.. It can be easily placed in the orbit by lifting the upper eyelid and placing the edge of -the shell (which should be first wetted) underneath it, and then depressing the lower lid, and then inserting the lower edge of the capsule ’ beneath that. To remove it the lower lid is drawn down, a smooth probe is passed behind the bottom margin of the horn, , which, with a little gentle leverage, drops out. The artificial eye may remain in for a week, but it should bo then taken out, as the dust, air, &c., remove the polish from the outer sm - - face, which should be periodically brightened up. The eye and eyelids should also be well cleansed before replacing the capsule.