no THE HOKSE AND ITS DISEASES. 



hang by a small root, the best way to extirpate them is, 

 by tying them with a pack thread, or hair line, and 

 gradually tightening the ligature when the fungous 

 growth falls off. A common digestive ointment is then 

 applied to heal it. 



iN'ow, while I concede that Mr. Gibson's treatment is 

 successful in many cases, I must candidly confess, that it 

 has the disadvantage of being a slow coach. The rationale 

 of his treatment is certainly ingenious ; it consists in 

 cutting off the due supply of the blood, and thus causing 

 mortification, and death of the fungous excrescence. 



I invariably extirpate them by the knife, and subse- 

 quently dress them with digestive ointment, and should 

 fungous granulations arise, they may be sprinkled with 

 red precipitate and burnt alum. 



Bran mashes and a gentle dose of physic should 

 accompany this treatment. 



Fistula in the Withers. 



Causes. — ^Blows, contusions, friction, and pressure of 

 the harness and saddle, diseases of the bone, and the 

 ordinary causes of inflammation will produce fistula. 



Symptoms. — It usually occurs at the top of the 

 withers — it is small at first, but quickly enlarges, and 

 spreads over one or both sides. 



When suppuration occurs, the discharge is prevalent, 

 and is conveyed through the medium of small channels 

 or pipes through the areblar tiasul, (known in old works 

 as cellular membrane.) 



Treatment. — "When unskilfully treated, fistulas de- 

 generate into extensive and obstinate ulcers. 



The necessary prelude to treatment is to ascertain the 

 duration, nature, extent, and direction of the fistula 



This diagnosis is a " sine qua noti^^ of the treatment ; 

 proceed then to make a deep incision (taking care not 

 to wound any considerable vessels or nerves). This is a 

 necessary prelude to the obliteration of the fistula. It 



