64 FISTULA AND PGLL-EVIL 



into a still lower state of depression and may 

 even die from chronic septicema. Operated on 

 in this enfeebled state fatalities are of common 

 occurrence. 



The profile of the withers during the course 

 of the fistulous stage varies in different cases. 

 Some are tumefied on one side, some on both, 

 usually from fibrosis but also from common in- 

 flammatory swellings which subside with each 

 pointing of the abscess. Each aperture leaves 

 a tell-tale scar and a denuded zone beneath 

 where the discharges have destroyed the hair 

 follicles. Where caustics, strong blisters or 

 strong chemical irrigations have been em- 

 ployed this marring is still more pronounced 

 (see Fig. 4). 



Where the disease was left to run its own 

 course, or was treated by only palliative meas- 

 ures, the withers, neck and shoulders are left 

 riddled with these indelible blemishes, and 

 often through extensive sloughing of the liga- 

 mentum nuchge the neck drops down in front 

 of the withers into a permanent deformity 

 (ewe -neck). 



In other cases the spines at the summit of the 

 withers having lost their ligamentous covering 

 protrude beneath the imperfectly regenerated 

 integument and thereafter become the seat of 

 sores from the harness and saddle that are diffi- 



