'252 ]\IUSCLE.S OF THE BACK. — FISTULOUS WmiERS. 



MUSCLES 0? THE BACK. 



The most important m ascles wliicli belong to this part of the frame are 

 principally those which extend from the continuation of the ligament of 

 the i">ek, along the whole of the back and loins ; and like^^dse from the 

 last c rvical bone ; — the siiperficialis and transversalis costarum, or super- 

 ficial and transverse muscles of the ribs, going from this ligament to the 

 upper I vt of the ribs to elevate them, and to assist in the expansion of 

 the chest also the large mass of muscle, the hngissimus dorsl, or longest 

 muscle of he back, fi'om the spinous and transverse jDrocesses of the ver- 

 tebrae to th^. ribs, and by which ail the motions of the spine, and back, and 

 loins, to whu h allusion has been made, are principally produced ; by which 

 the fore-quan rs are i-aised upon the hind ones, or the hind upon the fore 

 ones, according as either of them is the fixed point. Tliis is the principal 

 agent in rearing and kicking. 



The last muse' ; to be noticed is the spinalis dorsi, the spuial muscle of 

 the back, frora the spinous processes of some of the last bones of the back 

 to those of the fore-pai-t ; thick and strong about the withers, and broadly 

 attached to them ; and more powerfully attached, and more strongly acting, 

 in proportion to the elevation of the withers ; and proceeding on to the 

 three lowest bones of the neck, and therefore mainly concerned, as already 

 described, in elevating the fore-quarters, and producing high and safe 

 action, and conti'ibuting to speed. 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 



When the saddle has been suifered to press long upon the withers, a 

 tumour will be formed, hot and exceedingly tender. It may sometimes be 

 dispersed by the cooling applications recommended in the treatment oi 

 poli-evil ; bat if, in despite of these, the swelling should remain stationary, 

 and especially if it should become larger and more tender, warm fomen- 

 tations and poultices, and stimulating embrocations, should be diligently 

 applied, in order to hasten the formation of pus. As soon as that can be 

 fairly detected, a seton should be passed from the top to .the bottom of the 

 tumour, so that the Avhole of the matter may be evacuated, and continued 

 to be discharged as it is afterwards formed ; or the knife may be freely 

 used, in order to get at the bottom of every sinus. The knife has suc- 

 ceeded many a time Avhen the seton has failed. The after treatment must 

 be precisely that which was recommended for a similar disease in the poll. 



In neglected fistulous withers the ulcer may be larger and deeper, and 

 more desti-uctive than in poll-evil. It may burrow beneath the shoulder- 

 blade, and the pus appear at the point of the shoulder or the elbow ; or 

 the bones of the withers may become cai'ious. 



Very great improvement has taken place in the construction of saddles 

 for common use and in the cavalry service. Certain rules have now been 

 laid down from which the saddler should never deviate, and attending to 

 which the animal is saved from much sufiering, and the mechanic from 

 deserved disgrace. 



The first rule in the fitting of a saddle is, that it should bear upon the 

 l^ack, and not on the sjoine or the withers, for these are jjarts that Avill not 

 endure pressure. 



Next in universal application is the understanding that the saddle should 

 have everywliei-e an equal bearing, neither tilting forward upon the points 

 nor backward upon the seat. 



When the saddle is on, and the girths fastened, there should remain space 

 sufiicient between the withers and the pommel for the introduction of the 

 Iiand undei'ueath the latter. 



