Poll Evil. 187 



The first stage of farcy is tumi Heat ion of the lym- 

 phatics — " development of the farcy bud." 



The second stage is commonly a suppurative one, ter- 

 minating in a farcy ulcer. After passing through these 

 two stages, the disease may, and frequently does, termi- 

 nate in glanders. AVhen it attacks horses in good condi- 

 tion, some hopes may be entertained of a cure. " No 

 swelling of a hind limb (or any other part) constitutes 

 a case of farcy apart from the unequivocal signs of lym- 

 pJiatic disease ; there must be present corded, nodulated 

 swellings, — buds in some form or other, — together with 

 actual or approaching tumefacation of the lymphatic 

 glands, or the case is not farcy." 



poll evil axd fistula withers. 



Poll evil generally makes its appearance about the nape 

 of the neck in the form of a swelling, and if not arrested, 

 ends in abscess and fistula. It generally proceeds from 

 blows and bruises, striking the poll against the ceiling or 

 beams, jerking the head upwards, and coming in contact 

 with the head-stalls. Excessive friction, the bunoflino' and 

 cruel manner of putting on small collars, etc., are the 

 principal causes of this complaint. It results either from 

 neglect or abuse. 



Poll evil is first noticed in the form of an oval tumor, 

 hot and tender, situated directly in the region of the 

 nape, mostly inclining to one side ; in the suppurative stage, 

 and when the matter is deep-seated, scarcely any fluctua- 

 tion can be felt ; when, however, the matter lies directly 

 beneath the skin, or in the cellular tissues, the reverse^ 

 the case. The suppurative finally runs into the ulcerative 

 stage; we then observe chasms and sinuses, similar to 

 those observed hi fistula of the withers, and finally the 

 bones become involved in the disease. 



Fistula of the withers does not differ from poll evil- 

 except in location, but is more frequent. It arises in con. 

 sequence of the withers being more exposed to injury- 

 Fistula is the more formidable ; tor the sinuses often bur- 

 row deep between the shoulder blade and spinous pro- 

 cesses, in various dir that it becomes both dif- 

 ficult and dangerous to search for them. For the treat- 

 ment of fistula and poll evil, see receipts. 



