14 SPECIAL VETERINARY THERAPY 



shred, is fearlessly dissected out. The surgeon must 

 rely on his own ingenuity in controlling the profuse 

 hemorrhage which always occurs and can not be 

 avoided. 



The rapidity with which recovery takes place after 

 this procedure depends upon how thoroughly the 

 necrotic area is cleaned up and upon the after-treat- 

 ment. 



The after-treatment in these cases should consist 

 in packing the cavity daily with sterile gauze, and 

 only such irrigation or washing as is absolutely 

 needed. During this time tonics should be given and 

 the horse should be kept as quiet as possible. Occa- 

 sional swabbing with tincture of iodine helps to hasten 

 granulations. 



The radical operation for fistulous withers is far 

 from being a scientific or pleasant operation ; it is to 

 be used only in cases which demand it. Again, such 

 cases are rare. In most cases drainage and proper 

 medical care effect a cure in a reasonable time and 

 ordinarily this is the only satisfactory method in gen- 

 eral practice where hospital care is not available. 



There are not many cases in which drainage, proper 

 drainage, can not be obtained. The point to select 

 for making an opening to drain the withers is always 

 at the conjunction of the normal level and the tumefac- 

 tion. This means that the mouth of the opening is 

 always in healthy tissue. Therein lies the secret of 

 cure of fistula of the mithers by drainage. At first 

 thought, this appears a simple matter, but, for me, it 

 requires considerable study and careful examination 



