CHAPTER V. 



THE ANATOMY AND DISEASES OF THE NECK AND NEIGH- 

 BORING PARTS. 



The neck of the horse, and of every animal belonging to the 

 class mammalia^ except one species, is composed of seven bones 

 called vertebrae,, movable or turning upon each other (see Fig. 1). 

 They are connected together by strong ligaments, and form sc 

 many distinct joints, in order to give sufficiently extensive motion 

 to this important part of the body. The ailai has already been 

 described. Its junction with the head is the seat of a very serious 

 and troublesome ulcer, termed 



POLL-EVIL. 



From the horse rub! jig and sometimes striking his poll against 

 the lower end of the manger, or hanging back in the stall and 

 bruising the part wi'.n the halter — or from the frequent and pain- 

 ful stretching of the ligaments and muscles by unnecessary tight 

 reining, and, occasionally, from a violent blow on the poll, in- 

 flammation ensues, and a swelling appears, hot, tender, and pain- 

 ful. It used to be a disease of frequent occurrence, but it is now,, 

 from better treatment of the animal, of comparatively rare oc- 

 currence. 



It has been stated, that the ligament of the neck passes over 

 the atlas, or first bone, without being attached to it, and the seat 

 of inflammation is between the ligament and the bone beneath ; 

 and being thus deeply situated, it is serious in its nature and dif- 

 ficult of treatment. 



The first thing to be attempted is to abate the inflammation 

 by bleeding, physic, and the application of cold lotions to the 

 part. In a very early period of the case a blister might have 

 considerable effect. Strong purgatives should also be employed. 

 By these means the tumor will sometimes be dispersed. This 

 system, however, must not be pursued too far. If the SAvelling 

 ncreases, and the heat and tenderness likewise nicrease, mattei 



