CHAPTER VIII. 



Poll- Evil. hiflamed a?id Fistulous Withers. Open Joints. Rupture. 

 Choking. Osteo-porosis. Melanosis. 



POLL-EVIL. 



By the term poll-evil, we understand the growth of one or more abscesses 

 at the upper and back part of the skull, just behind the ears. This 

 unfortunately common malady usually results from an injury, whether it be 

 caused by a sudden blow, or by the use of a tight bearing rein. There is, as 

 .a rule, no difficulty in recognising poll-evil. In the early stages, one 

 finds a soft diffuse swelling in the position mentioned, and the neck is held 

 stiffly. The swelling is tender to the touch, more especially at first, and it 

 gradually becomes more defined, and commonly ends in the formation of an 

 abscess. When we see a case of poll-evil, before matter is formed, it is our 

 custom to order the application of cooling lotions, such as those of acetate 

 of lead and spirit, and to order the administration of a dose of aloes 

 internally, with the view of possibly preventing the swelling terminating in 

 the formation of an abscess. If, however, matter be already formed, it is 

 necessary to freely open the abscess at its base, as early as possible, and to 

 foment the surrounding parts assiduously with warm water. The wound 

 must be kept strictly clean ; and in order to promote its healing, the 

 application of ointment of boric acid, or of that of eucalyptus iodoform and 

 carbolic acid, the formulas for which we have already mentioned, will prove 

 very useful. 



It not uncommonly happens that the inflammatory process spreads, and 

 the disease then assumes a more chronic and obstinate character. The 

 abscess having been left to burst spontaneously, discharges, in such a case, 

 an unhealthy, fetid matter, and shows no tendency to heal. The "pus' 

 burrows in various directions among the ligamentous tissues of the neck. 

 In treating an animal thus afflicted, professional skill is necessary. It is our 

 practice to freely open the burrowing, channels with the knife, and then to 

 dress the wound once with some strong caustic solution, such as that of 

 chloride of zinc. After thus destroying the walls of these sinuous passages 

 made by the burrowing matter, we dress the wound with carbolic acid lotion, 

 or ointment of iodoform and eucalyptus. Although such cases as these 

 frequently prove troublesome, they are, as a rule, amenable to careful and 

 judicious treatment. 



