A disease affecting horses’ eyes.
1846. I had occasion to cut some of the fifty-four forties for the “simples” some days ago, and must now do it again,—but first explain the operation, as it is only understood in the West. It comes from horse surgery,—cutting a horse’s eye for the hooks. The horse is subject to a disease of the eye, something like cataract; and when emollient remedies fail, the knife is applied, and then the animal sees clear. So of the simples…. Of course the operation cannot be performed on a Senator.—Mr. Benton of Missouri, U.S. Senate, June 1: Cong. Globe, p. 894.
