62 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 



the same stage of the typical form. The trouble 

 is thus far more like simple superficial abscess 

 and is not attended with any serious toxemia. 

 The toxins escape through the wound, whereas 

 in the typical form they are pent up and ab- 

 sorbed. It is only during the development of 

 secondary abscesses that any serious systemic 

 indisposition is ever observed. 



The syviptoms of the fistulous stage. Fistula 

 once a reality and beyond the developmental 

 stage produces a clinical picture well known to 

 everyone having had any experience with 

 horses. Its exposition, if not also its descrip- 

 tion, might seem unnecessary for the average 

 reader, so well known are the manifestations 

 of this fell and loathsome disease. 



It might be said for information of the 

 novice that any chronic discharge of pus from 

 or about the withers is fistula of the withers. 

 It may be from a single aperture and unas- 

 sociated with swelling or it may be from two 

 or more apertures with voluminous enlarge- 

 ment of the region on one or on both sides. 

 The apertures may be located posteriorh^ me- 

 sially or anteriorly, on or near the median line 

 or laterally at any point about the neck or 

 shoulders. The most anterior location at which 

 apertures are found is the middle cervical 

 region and the most posterior location is the 



