CHAPTER XIII. 



ULCEES AND FISTULA. 

 Ulcers, Poll-evil, Fistulous Withers, Saddle and Harness Galls. 



ULCERS. 



Definition. — An ulcer is defined to be a solution of continuity 

 caused by ulceration, and its varieties in Veterinary Surgery may be ar- 

 ranged under six heads. 1st. Healthy ulcer; 2d. Weak ulcer; 3d. Indo- 

 lent ulcer; 4:th. Inflamed ulcer; 6t7i. Gangrenous or phagedenic, or 

 sloughing ulcer; 6th. Specific ulcer. 



Isf. The healthy ulcer is smooth at its edges, which are neither 

 everted nor inverted, adherent to the granulations, and when they rise 

 to a level with the skin, a film or cicatrix is formed like a semi-transpar- 

 ent ring round the edges, and gradually spreads over the wound. The 

 granulations are small, firm, numerous, and of a fine florid color, pointed 

 at their tops, and discharging a thick laudable pus. 



But little treatment is required for this kind of ulcer, beyond rest 

 and cleanliness. 



2fZ. The weak ulcer. The granulations are pale, large, flabby, not 

 pointed, but even bulbous at their tops, less vascular, and less apt to 

 bleed on being touched than those of the healthy ulcer; they are unat- 

 tended with pain, rise above the level of the skin, so that the margins of 

 the ulcer are hid from view. The discharge is thin, pale, and watery. 



This kind of ulcer is caused by some debilitating local or general in- 

 fluence. It is often found in the hind legs of low-bred animals, and 

 arises in them from the venous congestion and dropsical effusion, which 

 are so often met with in round-legged cart horses. It is associated per- 



