62 FISTULA AND POLL-EVIL 
the same stage of the typical form. The trouble 
is thus far more like simple superficial abscess 
and is not attended with any serious toxemia. 
The toxins escape through the wound, whereas 
in the typical form they are pent up and ab- 
sorbed. It is only during the development of 
secondary abscesses that any serious systemic 
indisposition is ever observed. 
The symptoms of the fistulous stage. Fistula 
once a reality and beyond the developmental 
stage produces a clinical picture well known to 
everyone having had any experience with 
horses. Its exposition, if not also its deserip- 
tion, might seem unnecessary for the average 
reader, so well known are the manifestations 
of this fell and loathsome disease. 
It might be said for information of the 
novice that any chronic discharge of pus from 
or about the withers is fistula of the withers. 
It may be from a single aperture and unas- 
sociated with swelling or it may be from two 
or more apertures with voluminous enlarge- 
ment of the region on one or on both sides. 
The apertures may be located posteriorly, me- 
sially or anteriorly, on or near the median line 
or laterally at any point about the neck or 
shoulders. The most anterior location at which 
apertures are found is the middle cervical 
region and the most posterior location is the 
