168 THE HORSE. 



or the bind upon the fore, according as either of them is made a fixed poini. 

 This is the principal agent in rearing and liicking. 



CUT OF TilE iMUSCLES OF THE HORSE. 



The last we shall mention is the spinalis dorsi, the spinal muscle of the 

 back, from the spinous processes of some of the last bones of the back, to 

 those of the fore part; thick and strong about the withers, and broadly 

 attached to them ; and more powerfully attached, and more strongly acting 

 in proportion to the elevation of the withers; and proceeding on to the three 

 lowest bones of the neck, and therefore mainly concerned, as we have 

 described, in elevating the fore-quarters, and producing high and safe action, 

 and contributing to speed. 



Before we quite leave the roof of the chest, we will speak of some acci- 

 dents or diseases to which it is exposed. The first is of a very serious nature. 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 



When the saddle has been suffered to press long upon the withers, a 

 tumour will be formed, hot and exceedingly tender. It may sometimes be 

 dispersed by the cooling applications recommended in the treatment of poll- 

 evil (p. 153); but if, in despite of these, the swelling should remain sta- 

 tionary, and more especially if it should become larger and more tender, 

 warm fomentations and poultices and stimulating embrocations should be 

 applied diligently to it, as to the tumour of poll-evil, in order to hasten the 

 formation of matter. As soon as the matter can be fairly detected, a seton 

 should be passed from the top to the bottom of the tumour, so that the whole 

 of the matter may run out, and continue to run out as it is afterwards 

 formed. The after treatment must be precisely that which we have 

 recommended for a similar disease in the noil. 



