WOUNDS, SPRAINS, BRUISES, ABRASIONS, AND ABSCESSES. 57 



pus rapidly forms, and the inflammation (infection by germs) may 

 extend to the inner structures, causing a condition that will not 

 readily yield to treatment. 



Sitfast. 



Sitfasts are patches of dry, dead skin, and may involve the deeper 

 tissues; they are caused by continuous pressure of the saddle, cinch, 

 or collar, and may be situated on the side of the body, back, side of 

 withers, shoulder, or neck. 



Treatment. — With the knife remove all dead and bruised tissue, 

 stimulate the sore at the sides by the use of lunar caustic, and treat 

 as a common wound. When there is no more formation of pus, and 

 the parts are perfectly dry, do not apply liquids, but use iodoform 

 until well. 



Fistulous withers. 



(Plate XI, Fig. 1.) 



Fistulous withers is an abscess (gathering) having a more or less 

 chronic discharge of pus from one or more openings situated in the 

 immediate vicinity of the withers; it may involve only the soft struc- 

 tures, or the bones may also be affected; it is caused by a bruise, and 

 generally, in the army, by a bruise from an ill-fitting saddle. 



Treatment. — Treat as explained under "Abscesses." If, after a 

 reasonable length of time, results are not satisfactory, a surgical opera- 

 tion is necessary. 



Poll evil. 



(Plate XI, Fig. 2.) 



Poll evil is the result of a bruise on the poll. It is similar to fistulous 

 withers, and should receive the same treatment. 



ABRASIONS. 



Aii abrasion, or chafe, is an inflammation of the skin, resulting 

 from friction. Parts of the equipment frequently wear away the 

 hair and leave the skin raw and tender. 



Treatment. — One ounce of tannic acid in a pint of witchhazel is 

 especially valuable for collar chafes; zinc oxide as a dusting powder is 

 effective, and the white lotion is always beneficial. In emergencies, 

 bat he t he parts with cold water to which a little salt has been added. 



Rope burn. 



Rope burn is an abrasion, usually at the back of the pastern, and 

 caused by the animal becoming entangled in the halter shank, picket 

 line, or lariat. The injury may be simply a chafe of the superficial 



