DISEASES OF THE MUSCLES AND TENDONS. 191 



ears. At this point the bones of the cranium connect with 

 those of the neck, or cervical vertebrae. They are held by- 

 very strong cartilages, upon both sides of the neck, but still 

 more firmly by the remarkable tendon, or muscle, on top, 

 called the serratus minor, (See section on the muscles and 

 tendons, and also /, in sectional view of the head, in Chap- 

 ter II.) By these means the head is supported and kept 

 steady, and moved in nearly all directions with great facil- 

 ity. From the appearance of the tumor nearly upon that 

 part of the head called the "poll," the term "poll-e.v^" is 

 used to describe this affection. A better one would be poll 

 or head fistula; for the causes and symptoms of this pain- 

 ful disease are precisely similar to those of fistula upon the 

 withers. 



Between the serratus minor and the serratus major — the 

 different parts of the whiileather, described in the' last sec- 

 tion — there is naturally a most intimate connection and sym- 

 pathy. It is almost impossible that one should be injured 

 without the other having a share in the suffering produced ; 

 and it is a well-known fact that cases of poll evil, not unfre- 

 quently, can be traced to no known cause, except sympathetic 

 connection with fistulous withers. 



When the horse is in sound health, an ordinary bruise on 

 the poll generally produces no serious results ; but if the parts 

 are in a feverish state,, a slight blow may be followed by what 

 is indeed an eml. Kext to the shoulders and joints of the 

 limbs, there is no portion of the horse's frame so severely 

 taxed, during the animal's motion, as the muscles and ten- 

 dons of this region. 



It is an exceedingly tender and sensitive point, and a blow 

 from a careless or enraged attendant, may occasion grave con- 

 sequences. If nothing worse happens, a knot, or lump, of 

 considerable size, is pretty sure to betray the violence which 

 has been employed, and will remain for some time. Such 

 treatment may cause instant death. The author once saw 

 an infuriated driver strike a large horse, with a club, on this 



