"PINK EYE ” IN HORSES.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2161, 10 February 1891, Page 3

"PINK EYE ” IN HORSES.

The Sydney Herald gives the following particulars concerning the outbreak of a disease among horses in that city: —The Sydney Tramway and Omnibus Company has at the present time 180 horses sick with the complaint which is known as “ pink eye.” The disorder is not a new one, although this is its first appearance here. Mr 0. Eayson, the manager of the company, considers that the epidemic is of the nature of influenza. About four years ago it broke out in New York, and paralysed the traffic. Two years ago it was experienced in Brisbane. It also broke out in the northern portions of South Australia about 18 months ago. The first appearance of the disorder in the Sydney Tramway and Omnibus Company’s horses was on Monday week, at the Glebe stables. Since then three horses have died, and last night there were 130 disabled, but were recovering. The symptoms are that the horse’s eyes become in- ' flamed and distended, and the inner part of the eye gorged with blood. The nose becomes deadly cold, and generally the hindquarters are paralysed. In some instances, however the animal loses the use of his forelegs. The attack cqmes on quite suddenly, and horses that eommence an a journey apparently quite well will all at once lose their power and go down on the road. The animals suffer a good deal from fever, and the horses that have died have been animals that have been bled. The attacks are not necessarily fatal, but the horses have to be well looked after, and their strength kept up. It is thought that about three weeks must elapse before the animals will recover sufficient strength to resume work, but up to the present none of the horses attacked have been able to do so.