154 COMPENDIUM OF THE VETERINARV ART. 



Mr. Taplin, in his Stable Directory, very 

 pompously detlai.ns against this method of 

 treating inveterate cases of fistula and poll 

 evil. ]t is certainly, however, the only effec- 

 tual one that is known ; and had this verbose 

 author but seen the effect of this remedy, as 

 well as of that which he recommends himself. 



are iiighly diseased before any external swelling is observed. 

 This is the cause of the particular obstinacy of the poll evil, and, 

 the great length of time generally required to cure it. From this 

 v,e may learn, also, how little is to be expected from such applica- 

 tions as are intended to disperse the swelling, and how necessary 

 it is to adopt a bold and powerful mode of treatment. I am con- 

 vinced, from what I have seen, that it is almost impossible to dis- 

 perse the genuine poll evil ; that by attempting it we lose time, 

 and suffer the matter to continue its ravages upon the ligament 

 and bones ; andtliat the only effectual practice consists in opening 

 tfee abscess freely, so that the matter may readily escape, and the 

 diseased bones be examined. When this has been done, and bleed- 

 ing has perfectly ceased, apply the ointment. No. 3, described in 

 the preceding chapter j and let the first dressing remain until the 

 dead parts are ready to separate merely by washing. It is some- 

 tifnes necessary to repeat this application several times j and 

 should it appear not sufficiently active, the proportion of vitriol 

 and turpentine may be increased ; but in irritable blood horses 

 it will .sometimes prove too strong. A second op)eration often be- 

 comes neccasary, particularly if the first have not been boldly per- 

 formed ; and whenever the matter appears to be pent up, or con- 

 fined in sinuses, the knife and strong dressings are the only reme- 

 dies. When the wound has been brought to a he?.lthy .state, the 

 conation digestive is the best dressing. 



