^S-'^ 



ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



XVm. Poll-evil. 



Causes Poll-evil is the name given to a deep abscess having its seai 



of primary inflammation between the ligament of the neck and the first 

 l)one which lies beneath without being attached to it ; and it is serioua 

 in its nature by reason of this depth and of the difficulty with which the 

 matter formed finds its way to the surface through the strong fibrous 

 membrane that envelopes it. If not attended to in its early stages, the 

 surface of the first bone from the head, or that of the joint between the 

 first two bones, becomes inflamed, and the joint or joints involved. 



The disease may be said to owe its origin almost wholly to violence of 

 some kind. A blow upon the poll by a brutal driver may very readily 

 produce it ; and much slighter causes, often repeated, result in thi.* 

 affection ; as, the forcing on of a tight collar day after day ; hanging 

 back and so bruising the poll "with bridle or halter ; and excessive rubbing 

 of that part because of itch produced by dirt accumulated about the ears 

 and upper point of the neck and not carried away by brush or currycomb. 

 Striking the head against low ceilings and the beams of low doorways is 

 doubtless responsible for very many cases of this dangerous and disa- 

 gi'eeable disorder. 



How to know it — A certain restlessness, a throwing back of the head 

 and then returning ; again, a drooping tendency, turning the head from 

 one side to the other ; a dull appearance about the eyes ; a sluggishness 

 of movement — all these are sometimes observed before any symptoms 

 of the disease may be discovered about the head. 



Sometimes no notice is taken of its existence until considerable swelling 

 and even an unwholesome discharge have set in ; but more frequently an 

 oval tumor is discovered, — hot, tender, situated directly in the region of 

 the nape of the neck, but generatly inclining to one side. In the milder 

 form this tumor is evidently supei-ficial ; and the horse moves his head 

 with comparative ease and freedom ; whereas, in the more advanced stage 

 he carries it stitfly, and every movement of it or the neck causes great pain. 



Sometimes the disorder is so deeply- 

 seated that the tumor is not developed 

 sufficiently to make much outward show. 

 It is much likelier to discover itself plainly 

 as a well-developed swelling w^hen tho 

 hurt is superficial. In any case, it must 

 be examined ^nth the fingers to deter- 

 mine this point. Place the fingers gently 

 upon it, and give the animal time to re- 

 cover from the little scare into which this 

 touching of a sore at first gives him ; 



POLL-KTIL DUBINO THX FIRST STAGK. 



