MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 71 



if long: continued, leads to the formation of a callosity. This may be 

 superficial, involving only the skin, or it may be deepened, involving; 

 the subcutaneous fibrous tissue and sometimes the muscles and even 

 the bone. This causes a dry sloug"h to form, which is both inconvenient 

 and unsightly. Sloughs of this kind are commonly called "sitfasts" 

 and, while they occur in other places, are most frequently found under 

 the saddle. 



Abrasions are best prevented by bringing' the animal gradually into 

 working shape after it has had a prolonged rest, that the muscles may 

 be hard and the skin tough. The harness should be well fitted, neither 

 too large nor too small, and it should be cleaned and well oiled to re- 

 move all dirt and' make it as pliable as possible. Saddles should be 

 properly fitted so as to prevent direct pressure on the spine, and the 

 saddle blankets should be clean and dry. Parts of the horse where 

 chafing is likely to occur, as on the back under the saddle, should be 

 cleaned and brushed free of dirt. The remedies for simple harness galls 

 are numerous. Among them may be mentioned alcohol one pint, in 

 which are shaken the whites of tw^o eggs ; a solution of nitrate of silver, 

 ten grainy to the ounce of water, sugar of lead or sulphate of zinc, 

 twenty grains to an ounce of water, carbolic acid, one part in fifteen 

 parts of glycerin, and so on almost without end. Any simple astringent 

 or powder will effect a cure, provided the sores are not irritated by 

 friction. Tf a sitfast has developed, the dead hornlike slough must be 

 carefully dissected out and the wound treated carefully with anti- 

 septics. During treatment it is always best to allow the animal to rest 

 but if this is inconvenient, care should be taken to prevent injury to the 

 abraded or wounded surface by padding the harness so that the chafing 

 cannot occur. 



Fistulas : This word is applied to any ulcerous lesion upon the exter- 

 nal surface of the body which is connected by ducts, or passages, with 

 some internal cavity. Because of this particular formation the term 

 fistulous tract is often used synonymously with the word fistula. Fis- 

 tula may exist in any part of the body, but the name has come to be 

 commonly accepted as applicable only to such lesions when found upon 

 the withers. Poll evil is a fistula upon the poll, and in no sense differs 

 from fistulous withers except in location. The description of fistula 

 will apply, then, in the main, to poll evil equally well. Quittor presents 

 the characteristic tubular passages of a fistula and may, therefore, be 

 considered and treated as fistula of the foot. 



