i26 THE FARM DOCTOR. 



pletely withdrawn. When new sacs of matter appeal- these 

 must be promptly opened and treated in the same way. A 

 change of aressing is sometimes needed as one appears to be 

 losing its effect (tincture of muriate of iron i oz., water i quart). 

 In obstinate cases it is sometimes needful to lay the sacs open 

 by an extensive incision and treat like an ordinary wound 

 But all these operations are only safe in the hands of those who 

 are intimately acquainted with the structure of the part. 



In case of disease of the bone it may be felt bare at the 

 bottom of the sac, by probing, and may be scraped to remove 

 any dead or diseased part, and expose sound bone which may 

 undergo the healing process. 



If the joint is implicated the case may be deemed desperate, 

 as it is usually only a question of time for the spinal cord to 

 become involved. 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 



This is analogous to the milder form ot poll evil, differing only 

 in its site, which is on the spines above the shoulders. It is to 

 be treated in the same way, by free incision, the formation of a 

 dependent orifice and injections. If the spinous processes are 

 diseased they should be remo/ed with bone forceps until a 

 healthy surface is exposed. 



FRACTURED PROCESSES OF THE NECK BONES. 



This may arise from muscular effort, but more commonly 

 results from jamming between two heavy bodies. If on one 

 side only, the head is drawn to a side ; and in any case the 

 detached piece of bone may be felt among the muscles, and 

 grating may even be produced by moving it. The only treat- 

 ment is to keep the head in one position until the detached 

 parts have become adherent, which they usually do with a 

 visible swelling. If abscess or fistula forms, the detached bone 

 must be extracted. 



