578 < DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



sensitive, would cause great trouble in dressing the parts, which 

 would be necessary for some time. I expressed my fear of this re- 

 sult, but the doctor thought differently, assuring me that he had 

 every reason to believe the inflammation would disperse in time. I 

 left, giving him full liberty to manage the case in his own way, and 

 was gratified on being informed shortly afterward , that the inflam- 

 mation was dispersed, and in this way a cure was effected. The se- 

 rious condition of the case, and the success with which it was 

 treated, induced me,- for the benefit of my readers, to write to the 

 doctor for the details of the treatment used, which I here include : — 



The treatment pursued in the management of Gifford was as follows: Take two 

 pounds salts, four ounces cream of tartar, mix well, divide into nine doses, and give 

 bne dose once a day in his feed. ' For the local treatment, I took of the tincture of 

 iodine and cantharides, equal parts, and applied to the shoulders every day for ten or 

 twelve days ; after which, I used a stronger solution two or three times a day for 

 three or four weeks. The case was a very bad one. 



Poll-Evil. 



Poll-evil is caused by being clubbed back of the ear, striking 

 back of the head against ah obstruction, pulling hard updn the 

 halter, or checking the head high, so as to bring undue pressure 

 upon the ligaments' of the parts, which will be shown by the in- 

 flammation and swelling over the first vertebra of the neck. If 

 this inflammation is allowed to continue, the posterior part of the 

 occipital bone, and sometimes the atlas bone, also the strong ten- 

 don over them, will be involved, causing serious ulceration of the 

 parts, unless taken in hand promptly. The principle of treatment is 

 precisely that of fistula of the withers. First, cooling applications, 

 a dose of physic, and a cooling, opening diet. 



A favorite prescription, for dispersing inflammation of this kind, 

 used by an old author, is, — 



Tartaiized antimony, crystallized and finely powdered 2 dr. 



Olive-oil p v , 2 dr. 



Hog's lard , 1 oz. 



Vaseline can be substituted for the oil and lard. When prop- 

 erly rubbed on the part, this will act as a powerful blister, but does 

 not blemish. Should matter form, it must be opened to the bottom ; 

 and, after being cleansed out, ascertain how far the matter has bur- 

 rowed, or the degree to which sinuses have formed. It is not 

 prudent to do any more cutting at this part than simply to make a 

 sufficiently deep incision to give an opening for the matter to pass 

 off. If sinuses have formed, caustic tents are to be introduced, as 

 before explained, until a clean sore is made. If the bones are in- 



