THE POLL-EVIL. 185 



purate, and matter be properly formed, which will 

 be easily discerned by pressing the finger on the 

 part,- it must be opened with a sharp knife, made 

 for the purpose of opening wounds. There is no 

 danger in cutting, provided care is taken not to 

 cut the ligament under the main, which supports 

 the head. To avoid this accident, let the horse's 

 nose be twitched, and lifted up to slacken the liga- 

 ment ; for if his nose be hooked in, the ligament 

 will be confined down, so as to prevent the finger 

 being introduced under it. After the wound has 

 been examined, and the operator finds himself able 

 to introduce one of the fingers of the left hand 

 under the ligament, he should, with a sharp knife 

 in his right hand, introduce it into the wound, 

 close to the finger ; and while he supports the 

 ligament with his finger, he should cut up to the 

 poll-bone, and from thence along the side of the 

 mane as far as it appears hollow, or ulcerated. It 

 may easily be ascertained how far the ulcer extends, 

 before the tumour is cut, for so far as the swelling- 

 reaches, it is always ulcerated under the ligament. 

 The operation of cutting ought to be done by a 

 little at a time, constantly feeling with the finger 

 where the ligament lies. 



If both sides be bad, they must be treated in 

 the same manner. [The chief danger that attends. 



