RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 141 



FISTULOUS WITHERS 



F"istulas of the Withers, of which the above is a typical Hke- 

 ness, are usually caused by external violence of some kind, such as 

 severe jars while drawing heavy loads, ill-fitting collars, bites from 

 another horse while at play, or during an actual encounter, severe 

 blows, running under some firm object which is lower than the 

 framework of the rose, of which the withers are the most promi- 

 nent part, tightly strapped saddles, etc. These cause death of some 

 of the inner structures, which soon act as foreign bodies, and which 

 nature attempts to caddy out by the process of sloughing or sup- 

 puration. Pus pockets are found in the region of the injury, which 

 are often deep-seated and become more and more serious as the case 

 becomes chronic. The pus gravitates and involves more tissue as 

 the disease progresses ; occasionally you will notice a pronounced 

 swelling, which breaks open and discharges for a while, but soon 

 heals up, only to break open again in a short time. Sometimes the 

 most prominent bony structures of the withers (dorsal spines) are 

 involved to such an extent as to cause necrosis or death of the parts, 

 which necessitates a removal of some of the bony structure before 

 you dare attempt to cure the fistula. 



TREATMENT 



Various theories have been advanced as to the treatment of 

 fistulous withers. Some of the writers claim it to contain infec- 

 tious germs, which leads them to believe that the disease is con- 

 tagious, but this theory receives very little credit. Although infec- 

 tious germs are found in the fistula, it is quite probable that they 

 have gained access to the fistula after it has been established and 

 most likely after it has broken open and discha'-ged, thus affording 

 an opening for the introduction of germs, which can hardly be 

 avoided under ordinary surroundings, as the farmer or stock owner 

 cannot keep the horse's environment thoroughly asceptic; at least 

 it is ot customary for him to do so. 



Strong caustic solutions are often injected. As the fistula has 

 no drainage or dependent opening, they have little or no eflfect. 

 Astringent and antiseptic solutions or powders have practically the 

 same effect. The only reliable remedy is to remove the entire fis- 

 tula and (necrotic) bony substance surgically, making any opening 

 at the most dependent parts of the pockets and irrigating the wounds 

 once or twice daily with a solution of one part of bichloride of mer- 

 cury to 1,000 parts of water with a fountain syringe. Make liberal 



