136 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 



with the tumor forcep as soon as the incision 

 is made. 



2. Performing the operation without delay. 



3. Packing the wound with an even pres- 

 sure with oakum securely retained with su- 

 tures. 



4. Avoiding harsh handling until at least 

 forty-eight hours have elapsed. 



Paralijsis. — We have had animals become 

 entirely paralyzed after poll-evil operations, 

 due to having attempted to cure incurable 

 cases already having nervous complications, 

 but aside from those it is always possible, when 

 due care is not taken to properly attend to such 

 a large wound adjacent to the neural canal, 

 for the inflammatory process to invade through 

 the muscles covering the atlanto-axoid space 

 and produce trouble that did not previously 

 exist. Then again, undue pressure of a lumpy 

 hemostatic pack is always a hazard. By avoid- 

 ing operations on subjects exhibiting a wabbly 

 gait, carefully packing the wound and then 

 properly caring for it afterward there is little 

 danger from this complication. 



Slough of the Distal Stump of the Liga- 

 ment Nuchae, — Failure of the wound to heal 

 at the posterior commissure is due always to 

 a slough of the stump of the ligament. Some- 

 times the slough is small and at other times it 



