DISEASES OF HORSES 187 



striking his head against the hayrack, beams of the ceiling, low doors, 

 etc. Fistulous withers are seen mostly in those horses that have thick 

 necks as well as those that are very high in the withers ; or, among 

 saddle horses, those that are very low on the withers, the saddle here 

 riding forward and bruising the parts. They are often caused by 

 bad-fitting collars or saddles, by direct injuries from blows, and from 

 the horse rolling upon rough or sharp stones. In either of these loca- 

 tions ulcers of the skin, or simple abscesses, if not properly and punc- 

 tually treated, may become fistulas. The pus burrows and finds lodg- 

 ment deep down between the muscles, and escapes only when the 

 sinus becomes surcharged, or when, during motion of the parts, the 

 matter is forced to the surface. 



Symptoms. These, of course, will vary according to the prog- 

 ress made by the fistula. Following an injury we may often notice 

 soreness or stiffness of the front legs, and upon careful examination 

 of the withers we will see small lines running from the point of irri- 

 tation downward and backward over the region of the shoulder. 

 These are superficial lymphatics, and are swollen and painful to the 

 touch. In a day or two a swelling is noticed on one or both sides of 

 the dorsal vertebrae, which is hot and painful and rapidly enlarging. 

 The stiffness of the limbs may disappear at this time, and the heat 

 and soreness of the parts may become less noticeable, but the swelling 

 remains and continues to enlarge. 



A fistulous ulcer of the poll may be first indicated by the opposi- 

 tion which the animal offers to the application of stable brush or 

 bridle. At this time the parts are so sore and sensitive that there is 

 some danger that the patient will acquire disagreeable stable habits 

 unless handled with the greatest care. The disease in its early stages 

 may be recognized as- a soft tumor, with the presence of stiffness of 

 the neck. Later the inflammation of the surrounding tissues may 

 disappear, leaving a prominent tumor. The swelling, whether situ- 

 ated upon the head or the withers, may open and form a running 

 ulcer, or its contents may dry up and leave a tumor which gradually 

 develops the common characteristics of a fibrous tumor. When the 

 enlargement has opened we should carefully examine its cavity, as 

 upon its condition will wholly depend our treatment^ 



Treatment. In the earliest stage, when there is soreness, en- 

 larged lymphatics, but no well-marked swelling, the trouble may fre- 

 quently be aborted. To do this requires both general and local treat- 

 ment. A physic should be given, and the horse receive 1 ounce of 

 powdered saltpeter three times a day in his water or feed. If the 

 fever runs high, 20-drop doses of tincture of aconite root every two 

 hours may be administered. The local application of cold water to 

 the inflamed spot for an hour at a time three or four times a day has 

 often proved very beneficial, and has afforded great relief to the 

 patient. 



Cooling lotions, muriate of ammonia, or saltpeter and water; 

 sedative washes, such as tincture of opium and aconite, chloroform 

 liniment, or camphorated oil, are also to be frequently applied. 

 Should this treatment fail to check the progress of the trouble, the 



