199 



FISTULA IN ANO. 



In the treatment of this disease, on account of the fric- 

 tion which is apt to be continually occasioned by the action 

 of the coccygeal muscles, I have found great benefit from 

 confining the tail to a rope fastened round the neck, the same 

 as horse-dealers do when they link their horses together for 

 travelling. 



SADDLE-GALLS, NAVEL-GALLS, WARBLES, SITFASTS, 

 TUMOUR UPON THE ELBOW. 



Trifling injuries of this description present little surgical 

 interest, however annoying they may prove to the animal 

 or its rider. From pinching of the harness-pad, girths, 

 or collar, the part injured swells, that is, vessels rupture, 

 blood extravasates, and tumour is produced ; though, where 

 friction exists, the parts are more likely to become galled. 

 Nothing is more common than for horses wdth saddles which 

 do not fit, or for animals with saddles over-weighted, or 

 with either upon their backs for an inordinate length of 

 time, to have swellings on the places that have been com- 

 pressed. Where such mishaps are expected, the saddle 

 should remain on the back till the horse is perfectly cool. 

 The knowledge of this fact has induced the practice of keep- 

 ing the saddle on for some hours after the return to the 

 stable. Indeed, we are advised (supposing the saddle to 

 have been removed) in case the back rises, to put it on 

 again, as the best remedy we can adopt. Although, however, 

 these swellings are easily removed when recent, they occa- 

 sionally produce swellings which will not readily subside. 

 Neglect these swellings, or expose them to fresh injury, and 

 they either turn to abscess or subside into smaller tumours 

 indisposed to undergo further change : for though now and 

 then an imperfect suppuration carries them off^, it is very 

 rare for them (though the cause be discontinued) to dis- 

 appear by resolution. That which gives these swellings 



