386 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



the travis, or division, of the stall, a bruise of the fleshy 

 substances, between the hard woodwork and the bones at 

 the base of the skull ensues, and a deep-seated abscess 

 results. The first cause, therefore, of poll-evil is wilful, 

 neglectful, or purely accidental external injury. 



Tenderness on pressure on the poll, or nape, of the neck, 

 and the peculiar stiff and crouching manner in which the 

 animal carries his head, indicate poll-evil. The symptoms, 

 of course, depend upon the extent of the disease, and the 

 stage the inflammation and abscess have reached. You 

 may find a solid tumour, or a matured abscess, or it may 

 have advanced to the ulcerative stage, exposing cavities 

 and sinuses horrible to behold. 



Treatonent. — The knife and caustic tents of chloride of 

 lime are our great resources in poll-evil. In the early stage 

 of abscess, whether deep or superficial, open the parts freely, 

 and then we may hope to induce the healing process in due 

 time. Should the abscess not be fully formed, we should 

 use our best endeavours to ripen it ; which will be best 

 attained by a mild blister rubbed in as often as required 

 till the fluctuation is felt either on one side or the other. 

 The next object is to procure a speedy evacuation of the 

 contents, and a depending orifice for its future passage, that 

 no sinuses may form. This may be done by the introduction 

 of a seton, first inserting the needle in the middle of the 

 tumour, and passing it out at the most depending part. 

 In case the tumour is a central one, and its limits extend 

 equally over the neck, do exactly the same by the other 

 side. 



FISTULA OF THE WITHERS. 



Continuous and undue pressure of the saddle, either by 

 its misfit or the improper management of a careless groom 

 or incautious rider, and this evil, repeated day by day and 

 at frequent intervals, establishes an inflammatory tumour. 

 This should be immediately laid open, and subsequently 

 treated after the manner explained under the head of 

 Warbles. When this is not done, the whole hardens, 

 suppuration generally takes place within the part, and 

 the strong fascia on the back prevents the pus escaping. 

 The pus becomes virulent, being confined: it absorbs, thus 

 creating numerous pipes, and a case of fistulous withers is 



