264 THE HOBSE BOOK. 



fussing at it with soap and water. That com- 

 bination should always be kept away from a 

 wound after the first cleansing has been ac- 

 complished, and the laceration dressed. If the 

 cut or tear is small the daily application of a 

 little carbolic lotion (teaspoonful carbolic acid, 

 water one quart), or some good coaltar dip as 

 directed on the container, will be all that is 

 needed. In more severe cases the surgeon on 

 the spot, or fully advised of the conditions, 

 alone is competent to prescribe intelligently. 



Fistula of the withers is caused by a bruise 

 of the tissues of the part named, perhaps by 

 the saddle, or collar, sometimes in mares by the 

 bite of the stallion during coition, and indeed in 

 any way in which a bruise may be inflicted. 

 Sometimes fragments of the processes of the 

 backbone are broken off. The result of such a 

 bruise is that pus forms deep in the tissues and 

 burrows along, forming pipes. Symptoms are 

 swelling and intense pain. A fistula is a very 

 nasty thing to deal with and no one who does 

 not thoroughly understand it should attempt 

 to affect a cure himself. 



Spavins, ringbones, sidebones, curbs and 

 navicular disease are the commonest unsound- 

 nesses of the bony structure of the legs. Spavins 

 are bony growths on the inside of the hock and 

 low down upon it. This bony growth or exos- 

 tosis interferes with the working of the joint 

 and the play of the tendons over it. There are 



