471 



too mucli time lias been occupied in tlie cure. AVe uiust look for 

 other and more rapid metliods of treatment. These consist in, first of 

 all, carefully exploring the tumor for the presence of pus. The inci- 

 sions must be made over the softest i)art, and carried deep into the 

 tumor (to its verj^ bottom if necessary), and the matter allowed to 

 escape. After this, and whether we have found matter or not, we 

 must induce an active i7} flammed ion of the tumor in order to j)romote 

 solution of the thick walls of the abscess. This may be done by insert- 

 ing well into the incision a piece of oakum or cotton saturated with 

 turpentine, carbolic acid, tincture of iodine, etc., or we may pack the 

 incision with jiowdered sulphate of zinc and keep the orifice plugged 

 for twenty-four hours. These agents set ux3 a destructive inflamma- 

 tion of the walls. Suj)puration follows, and this should now be en- 

 couraged by hot fomentations and poultices. The orifice must be kei)t 

 open, and should it be disposed to heal we must again introduce some 

 of the agents above described. A favored treatment with many, and 

 it is x)robabl3^ the best, is to plunge a red-hot iron to the bottom 

 of the incision, and thoroughly sear all parts of the walls of the 

 abscess. This is to be repeated after the first slough has taken place, 

 if the walls remain thickened and indurated. 



It is useless to waste time with fomentations, j)oultices, or blisters 

 in the treatment of cold abscesses, since, though apjiarently removed 

 by such methods, they almost invariably return again when the 

 horse is put to work. Extiri)ation by the knife is not i)racticable, 

 as the walls of the tumor are not sufiicientlj^ defined. If treated as 

 above directed, and i^roperh- fitted with a good collar after healing, 

 there will not remain any track, trace, or remembrance of the large, 

 unsightly mass. 



FISTULtE. 



The word fistula is properly applied to sinuous pipes or ducts lead- 

 ing from cavities to the surface of the body, through which a discharge 

 is constantly taking i^lace. Thej' are lined by a false or adventitious 

 membrane, and show no disposition to heal. Fistula) may then exist 

 at any part, but the name has come to be commonly accepted as 

 applicable onh^ to such discharges taking place from the withers, 

 and we shall refer to this location when using the term. 



Poll evil is a fistula upon the poll, and in no sense differs from fistu- 

 lous Avithers except as to location. The description of fistula will 

 apply then, in the main, to ijoll evil as well. Fistula) are particularly 

 liable to occur at either of these locations from the disx)ositiou of the 

 muscles and tendinous expansions, which favor the burrowing of pus 

 and its retention. Fistulse follow as a result of abscesses, bruises, 

 wounds, or long continued irritation by the harness. Among the 

 more common causes of fistula of the poll — poll evil — are chafing by 

 the halter or heavy bridle; blows from the butt end of the whip; the 



