FISTULA OF THE WITHERS. 



57T 



Fig. 889.— Fistula of the Withers Showing 

 Seton. 



then the pipes must be destroyed by the introduction of the caustic 

 tents, as explained for treating deep-seated ulcers, under the head 

 of " Cuts or Wounds," so that it will njake a clean sore ; then a de- 

 pending opening for the matter to run off must be made by passing 

 a seton from the bottom outward, and sponge or syringe it out once 

 a day with a strong suds of warm 

 water and castile soap. It must 

 be borne in mind that if allowed 

 to heal over with pus, or any un- 

 healthy matter remaining at the 

 bottom, matter will continue to 

 form, and finally break out anew, 

 making, if anything, a more com- 

 plicated condition of ulcer. The 

 point is to see that all foreign mat- 

 ter, sinuses, or unhealthy bone, are 

 thoroughly removed. Sinuses can 

 be removed either by cutting away 

 or sloughing off with caustics as 

 explained, and the diseased bone 

 by scraping. Syringe out the 

 parts well, first with castile soap and water, then with a mild solu- 

 tion of blue vitriol, or carbolic acid and water ; after which treat as be- 

 fore with digestive ointment, tincture of myrrh, etc., as advised under 

 head of " Cuts or Wounds." 



Soon after leaving the 

 road, my old trained horse 

 Gifford was threatened 

 with fistula of the withers. 

 When able to examine the 

 case, I found there was se- 

 vere inflammation and 

 swelling of the parts, which 

 were so painful the horse 

 would not allow them to be 

 touched. The veterinary 

 „ surgeon in charge had ap- 

 plied a sharp stimulant, the 

 effect of which was intensi- 

 fied by covering the parts 

 with a couple of thick blankets. The horse was very fat, and there 

 were indications of matter forming, which as the horse was extremely 

 37 a . 



Fig. 800.— Good Method of Covering the Parts. 



