290 ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



The wound must now be cleansed by being syringed daily with a stim- 

 ulating wash, (1-2 dr. chloride of zinc in 1 quart of water), until a 

 healthy discharge sets in, and evidences of healing begin to manifest 

 themselves. Nothing further will then be necessary than to keep the 

 parts clean by daily sponging with warm soapsuds. 



It sometimes occurs that before r^edial measures are resorted to, not 

 alone the fleshy, but the tendinous, ligamentary, and bony structures 

 have become involved, and the disease has assumed a desperate char- 

 acter. If further neglected, the spinal cord is likely to become diseased, 

 and the case hopeless. If, upon opening a tumor, the matter is found to 

 flow in great quantities, resembling melted glue, with something of an 

 oQy consistence, it may be known that the disease is deep-seated and 

 dangerous ; and the probe should be employed to find whatever ca^^ties 

 may exist. If any are found, the knife should again be emploj'^ed, and 

 another cut made, smooth dow;n, and in the same direction as the first, to 

 prevent all rough and hacked walls, till the lowest depths are reached. 

 Then cleanse the wounds with warm soapsuds, using a good gum com- 

 press s3Tinge ; and dress with a mixture of spirits of turpentine, honey, 

 and tincture of myrrh. When a thick, light-colored matter begins to 

 appear, the dressing must be discontinued, and the parts must be kept 

 clean, as previously directed, by sponging with warm soapsuds. 



It is sometimes necessary to cut away loose pieces of ligament till a 

 healthy aspect is presented on the walls and in the dejjths of the incision. 



In the more desperate cases, numerous openings are formed, and these 

 discharge a matter resembling the white of an egg, which adheres to the 

 surrounding parts, and gives to the animal a most repulsive appearance. 

 In this case the knife should be used so as to take in at one sweep the 

 greatest number of openings, and then the other openings should be con- 

 nected by cuts with this main channel ; after which the wound should be 

 cleansed as previously directed, and dressed with the mixture prescribed 

 — spirits of turpentine, honey, and tincture of myrrh. 



After matter has formed, the knife is the only sure means of saving 

 the horse ; and, in the hands of the skillful man, it is a merciful 

 means. The operation is brief ; and the relief is more speedy than can 

 otherwise be obtained. Let no one attempt it, however, who cannot 

 operate as though for the moment divested of feeling, as there must be 

 no hesitation, no awkwardness as to direction, no notching and hacking. 



A horse that has once had the poll-evil should never afterward have a 

 collar thrust over his head, or be hauled around with a halter or any 

 other head-gear pressing upon the part. The poll wall long remain ten- 

 '<er, and a return of the disorder is likely. 



If it is necessary to treat during Summer, when the horse is apt to bo 



