FISTULOUS WITliERS WARBLRP, SITFASTS, I3TC 151 



irtg the loins and the spinous processes, the longer the arm of the 

 lever to which the power is applied, the easier and to the greatei 

 height will the weight be carried up. Good and high action, 

 and speed, will not, therefore, be often found without this con- 

 formation. 



FISTULOUS WITHERS. 



When the saddle has been suffered to press long upon the 

 withers, a tumor will be formed, hot and exceedingly tender. 

 It may sometimes be dispersed by the cooling applications recom- 

 mended in the treatment of poll-evil ; but if, in despite of these, 

 the swelling should remain stationary, and especially if it should 

 become larger and more tender, warm fomentations and poultices, 

 and stimulating embrocations, should be diligently applied, in or- 

 der to hasten the formation of pus. As soon as that can be fairly 

 detected, a seton should be passed from the top to the bottom of 

 the tumor, so that the whole of the matter may be evacuated, 

 and continue to be discharged as it is afterwards formed ; or the 

 knife may be freely used, in order to get at the bottom of every 

 sinus. The knife has succeeded many a time when the si ton has 

 failed. The after treatment must be precisely that which was 

 recommended for a similar disease in the poll. 



In neglected fistulous withers the ulcer may be larger and 

 deeper, and more destructive than in poU-evU. It may burrow 

 beneath the shoulder blade, and the pus may appear at the point 

 of the shoulder or the elbow ; or the bones of the withers may 

 become carious. 



WARBLES, SITFASTS, AND SADDLE GALLS. 



On other parts of the back, tumors and very troublesome ul- 

 cers may be produced by the same cause. Those resulting from 

 the pressure of the saddle are called warbles, and, when they ul- 

 cerate, they frequently become sitfasts. Warbles are small 

 circular bruises, or extravasations of blood, where there has 

 been an undue pressure of the saddle or harness. If a horse is 

 subject to these tumors, the saddle should remain on him two or 

 three hours after he has returned to the stable. It is only for a 

 certain time, however, that this will perfectly succeed, for by the 

 frequent application of the pressure, the skin and the cellular 

 substance are bruised or otherwise injured, and a permanent soro 

 or tumor, of a very annoying description, takes place. The cen- 

 tre of the sore gradually loses its vitality. A' separation takes 

 place from the surrounding integument, and there is a circular 

 piece of dried and hard skin remaining in the centre. No effort 



