In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 195 



subject, the symptoms fully bear out, therefore those 

 who have had a whitlow on their linger will have some 

 sympathy for the horse when suffering from poll-evil. 

 This disease is the result of a blow en the head between 

 the ears, often caused by leading the horse out of 

 low stable doors, when the horse will at times throw up. 

 its heal and strike it upon the door-frame with great 

 force. If this is not attended to at the time, the blood 

 becomes congealed, suppuration sets in, the matter finds 

 its way between the bone and muscles, and a deep 

 sloughing wound is the result before it is fully recognised 

 by the owner. Sometimes this is the result of a blow 

 given by an unmerciful rider, at other times it is brought 

 on by the horse striking its head upon the under-part of 

 the manger ; it is also often brought on by the ligaments 

 being stretched by that horrible piece of torture, a tight 

 bearing-rein ; but from whatever cause the malady pro- 

 ceeds, it is frequently exceedingly troublesome and 

 tedious to cure. If noticed before suppuration takes 

 place, every means should be adopted to suppress the 

 inflammation, and if possible to disperse the swelling. 

 Medicine of a laxative kind should be given, and hot 

 fomentations should be constantly applied, afterwards a 

 piece of sponge or linen cloth should be placed upon the 

 part affected, and kept constantly wet with arnica lotion, 

 one part arnica (British proof) to forty of pure spring 

 water. If the swelling remains hard for two or three 

 days in spite of the above treatment, then use strong 

 tincture of iodine ; this should be painted upon the part 

 with a soft brush, and will frequently take away the 

 swelling by absorption. If it is found that the swelling 



