Fistulous Withers. 239 



among the muscles themselves which connect the shoulder 

 blade with the trunk. Consequently, tlie inflammation ex- 

 tends, there is serious lameness of the shoulder, and the 

 animal suffers generally. 



Treatment. — In the early stage, the spinous processes, as 

 soon as they are noticed to be inflamed, must be protected 

 from pressure and dressed with cooling lotions. Later, when 

 it is evident that pus is formed, by the fluctuating feel of the 

 abscess, it should be freely opened by an incision as low down 

 as possible on the right side, as most horses lie down on that 

 side, and the escape of the pus is thus favored. The abscess 

 sliould be syringed with carbolic acid water (1 to 2 ), and 

 dressed with a carbolic acid salve (1 to 8), or petroleum. 



In older cases, where a fistula has already formed, running 

 down into the shoulder, careful search should be made for 

 its lowest pouch which contains the pus. This will be either 

 before or behind the shoulder. A free incision should be 

 made into it, and the fistula syringed and dressed as above. 

 Sometimes a more active stimulus is required to make the 

 sides of the fistula take on healthy action. A seton tape 

 may then be passed through the fistula from end to end, and 

 left there. Or the following injection may be freely injected 

 into every part of the fistula, two or three times a weak : — 



No. 261. Chloride of zinc, 1 draclim. 



Water, 1 pint. 



These measures, combined w4th general tonics and good care, 

 will be quite certain to bring about good results. 



EOTTEK BOITE, —NECROSIS AND CAEIES OF BONE. 



Definition. — A decay of the bone, owing to its death from 

 inflammation. It is called by veterinarians ^^ necrosis,'^ when 

 it attacks the shaft or body of the bone, and "caries,^' when 

 it is confined to its ends, at the joints (Williams). 



