80 Fistula, Poll Evil, and Quittors 



horses rather than unbroke fillies and geldings, I have formed the con- 

 clusion that a very large per cent of the cases are preventable by good 

 horsemanship. Heavy halters and the hitting of the poll by pulling back 

 on the halter undoub'tly cause a large per cent of the cases of poll-evil. 



My observation has led me to believe that no small per cent of the 

 fistula of the withers is caused by continually morning after morning 

 throwing the hairness hames on the withers of the horse instead of 

 holding to the harness and quietly placing them on the horse. It is 

 very common to see men let the tongue hit the hdrses foot when releas- 

 ing the neck yoke. Nothing could be better to cause a quittor on the 

 foot. 



The above ways are not the only ways these diseases are likely to be 

 formed but in my opinion they are among the more common causes. 

 Anything that bruises the poll, withers or foot may cause fistula of that 

 portion of the body. 



Horses with unusually high or thick withers are much more sub- 

 ject to fistula than horses with low or thin withers. Purchases and 

 breeding should be made to prevent the thick and high withered horse, 

 fistula, poll-evil and such diseases. 



TREATMENT 



In most communities there are men who claim to cure horses with 

 Fistula, Poll-Evil and such diseases. A horse that is just taking it often 

 looks cheap to such veterinarians when priced at half price and where 

 such sales are made there are Very few regrets on the part of the seller 

 for often it takes a period of months to cure or the hors6 is left with bad 

 wethers after treatment. 



If cases are taken when they first appear they can often be scattered 

 with the following formulae. Clip all hair off of the swelling and 

 below it where the lineament is likely to run. After clipping rub a 

 good thick smear of vaseline over where you do not want the lineament 

 to run down and effect the hair. 



Bathe the swelling with alternate hot and cold clothes for 30 minutes. 

 Apply a portion of the following and rub it some. 



