POLL EVIL. 231 



Causes. — Poll evil may occur in a variety of ways, and 

 probably is caused in all cases by either direct or indirect 

 injury of the parts, as by a horse striking his head while 

 passing through a low doorway. It may also be caused by 

 wearing badly-fitting halters and bridles. Another cause is 

 the yoke which is sometimes put on to prevent the jumping 

 of fences. Blows, and everything causing inflammation 

 of the parts, may be followed by poll-evil. It is also said 

 to be caused by unnaturally tight reining. 



Symptoms. — The injury being received, inflammation 

 ensues, and is manifested by heat, pain, and swelling of the 

 parts. The swelling soon becomes very considerable, and 

 persists until the beginning of the suppurative process. 

 An abscess forms, and pus is discharged, at which time 

 the swelling subsides. Pipes or sinuses are formed, ex- 

 tending in all directions, and the poll soon becomes one 

 mass of disease. The animal protrudes the head, more 

 especially during the inflammatory stage, and on moving 

 the head or handling the inflamed parts, pain is mani- 

 fested. In some cases the swelling is very slight and may 

 easily escape observation, especially as in many cases the 

 mane serves to eff'ectually hide its presence. This condition 

 should not be overlooked when making an examination as 

 to soundness. Anchylosis of the occipito-atloidean articula- 

 tion sometimes takes place, leaving the animal with a per- 

 manently stiff" neck. In other cases the pus may burrow, 

 and cause death by penetrating a capsular ligament of one 

 of the cervical articulations. 



Treatment. — The treatment of poll evil varies considerably, 

 depending upon the nature and stage of the disease at the 

 time the case is placed in the hands of the veterinarian. 

 During the stage of acute inflammatory action, and before 

 suppuration has commenced, the head should be tied up, 

 the patient kept as quiet as possible, and cold and other 



