460 



effect a cure by making a shallow incision under the skin, over the 

 center of the tumor, and inserting from 20 to 30 grains of arsenious acid 

 — powdered arsenic — wrapped in a single layer of tissue paper, and 

 retaining in the same manner as before directed for the caustic potassa. 

 No further treatment is nece^ssary for some time. In about ten days 

 to two weeks there will have taken place a large, deep slough, leaving 

 a very ugly looking granulating wound, which, however, gradually con- 

 tracts during the healing process and results in the entire disappear- 

 ance of the tumor. 



It is to be inferred from the foregoing that, even though fully estab- 

 lished, fistulas of the withers or poll are, in the majority of cases, cura- 

 ble. They often require much time and patient attention. The sinuses 

 must be opened at their inferior extremity' and kept open. At first 

 caustic injections or applications must be thoroughly aj)plied once or 

 twice, after which mild astringent antiseptic washes and cleanliness 

 complete the cure. In those cases where the sinuses or pipes are so 

 directed that counter openings can not be made; where there are dis- 

 eased conditions of the bones, articulations, etc., that can not be reached, 

 the horse had often best be destroyed at once. 



It is not at all unusual for fistulfe to break out again after having 

 healed. This should not discourage us of a complete cure, as there is 

 mostly only some small particle of diseased tissue remaining, caught, 

 probably, in the healing of the orifice. A small abscess forms, points, 

 and opens. This abscess should be injected with a solution of sulphate 

 of zinc, 20 grains to the ounce of water, every second or third day until 

 entirely healed. 



Fistula? of the foot — quittor — should be treated on the same principle 

 as those already described. 



When fistulous tracts are found at unusual points we must carefully 

 examine the character and time of the discharges, and diligently probe 

 the sinus to ascertain if the duct of some gland has not been opened, or 

 if some foreign body, as a splinter of wood, etc., is not retained in the 

 wound. In the first case — fistula of a gland duct— a competent veteri- 

 ur.rian must be called. In the second instance the foreign body is to be 

 carefully cut down upon and reinoved, after which healing i)rogresses 

 rapidly and satisfactorily. 



