230 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



stance of a velvety character. These are the granulations. 

 The wound gradually heals from the bottom. Sup^xiration, 

 more or less profuse, always takes place. What is com- 

 monly known as proud tiesh is simply exuberant granula- 

 tions, the granulations taking on this condition in conse- 

 quence of an undue amount of stimulation. Hence even 

 this process of repair dej^ends on a limited amount only of 

 inflammation being present, as, if the inflammatory action 

 be excessive, exuberant granulations spring up, and the 

 healing process, instead of being accelerated, is retarded 

 thereby. 



Union, or Healing, under a Scab. — This mode of healing 

 is usually seen in connection with small and trivial wounds, 

 as skin abrasions, etc. A little clot or scab forms over the 

 wound. The scab is sometimes formed of blood, serum, or 

 dirt, or a combination of two or all of them. If the scab 

 be allowed to remain undisturbed, in a few days it falls off', 

 when it is found that the parts underneath are healed. In 

 cases where it is noticed that there is irritation beneath a 

 scab, and sometimes a formation of pus, it is advisable to 

 remove it, and allow a new scab to form. I might mention 

 here that the absorption of catgut sutures may be deferred 

 by encasing them in resin or wax before using. 



POLL EVIL. 



Definition. — An inflammatory process set up in the 

 muscles and skin in the region of the atlas. It runs on 

 to the suppurative process, the adjacent structures gradually 

 becoming aff'ected, the ligamentum nuchse being frequently 

 involved. Little vitality exists in the diseased structures, 

 and pus may burrow down between the muscles until it 

 reaches and causes disease of the osseous structures. Poll 

 evil is so called on account of occurring in the region 

 of the poll. 



