462 POLL EVIL. 



not unfrequently the cervical vertebrae become absorbed. The 

 ravages which this disease makes are sometimes extreme ; it 

 has been known to disease the occipital and parietal bones, 

 burrowing around the ear, and has insinuated pus into the 

 parotid gland, as well as into the spinal canal, or the brain 

 itself. Under any appearance, a very strict examination 

 must be made, which is best done when the horse is cast, 

 having his head elevated by a bundle of straw- , and turned 

 towards the light. Enlarge the lateral opening so as to 

 admit of a free examination, by means of a finger, of every 

 part liable to be injured. Carious bones must be laid bare, 

 scraped, and then exposed to the escharotic effect of a strong 

 solution of chloride of zinc. Hardened callous edges must 

 be removed, and the smaller sinuses laid open, so as to form 

 one continuous cavity. If all this be not thoroughly done, 

 it will happen, that, when the whole seems on the point of 

 healing, a new tumour will suddenly appear, and frustrate 

 all our hopes. In this way the expert operator, well 

 acquainted with the anatomy of the parts, will combat the 

 worst cases. We must, however, avoid an injudicious use 

 of the knife, by which much mischief has been done. We 

 have seen a direct incision at the summit of the neck which 

 divided the cervical ligament, and allowed the skin and 

 muscles to recede beyond the power of surgery to unite 

 them : and although it has been said that this may be done 

 with perfect safety, for its principal attachment being to the 

 dentata or second vertebra, so the head can be supported 

 without it. Such, however, is a dangerous doctrine, and the 

 division can only be w^arranted as a last resource ; for a 

 close examination of the head will show, that this ligament 

 does most directly extend itself to the occipital bone also, 

 where it evidently acts as a suspending agent, and cannot 

 therefore be cut away without some injury to the mobility 

 and support: we would, therefore, recommend the practitioner 

 particularly to avoid so wide a range, and first to try two 

 moderate counter- openings, created by means of setons. 

 The injection of the internal cavity should be made, if pos- 

 sible, twice a day. One full examination and operation 

 ought to be sufficient for all ordinary cases, but desperate 

 diseases require extraordinary measures. A very mild case 

 is often sufficiently stimulated into healthy action by fully 



