457 



infiammaiion of the tumor in order to promote solution of tlie tliick walls 

 of the abscess. This may be done by inserting well into the incision a 

 piece of oakum or cotton saturated with turpentine, carbolic acid, tinc- 

 ture of iodine, etc., or we may pack the incision with powdered sul- 

 phate of zinc and keep the orifice plugged for twenty-four hours. These 

 agents set up a destructive inflammation of the walls. Suppuration fol- 

 lows, and this should now be encouragedbybot fomentations and poul- 

 tices. The orifice must be kept open, and should it be disposed to heal 

 we must again introduce some of the agents above described. A fa- 

 vored treatment with many, and it is probably 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, poultices, or blisters in 

 the treatment of cold abscesses, since, though apparently removed by 

 such methods, they almost invariably return again when the horse is 

 put to work. Extirpation by the knife is not practicable, as the walls 

 of the tumor are not sufficiently defined. If treated as above directed, 

 and properly fitted with a good collar after healing, there will not re- 

 main any track, trace, or remembrance of the large, unsightly mass. 



FISTULA. 



The word fistula is properly applied to sinuous pipes or ducts leading 

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

 constantly taking i^lace. They are liued by a false or adventitious 

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

 at any part, but the name has come to be commonry accepted as appli- 

 cable only to such discharges takiug place from the withers, and we 

 shall refer to this location when usiug the term. 



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

 lous withers except as to location. The description of fistula will apply 

 then, in the main, to poll evil as well. Fistuke are particularly liable 

 to occur at either of these locations from the disposition of the muscles 

 and tendinous expansions, which favor the burrowing of pus and its 

 retention. Fistulae 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 horse striking his 

 head against the hayrack, beams of the ceiling, low doors, etc. Fis- 

 tulous withers are seen mostly in those horses that have thick necks 

 as well as those that are very high in the withers ; or, among saddle 

 horses, those that are ve^y loic on the withers, the saddle here riding for- 

 ward and bruising the parts. They are often caused by bad-fitting col- 

 lars or saddles, by direct injuries from blows, and from the horse roll- 

 ing upon rough or sharp stones. In either of these locations, ulcers of 

 the skin, or simple abscesses, if not properly and punctually treated 



