372 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



duct, in a like manner, produce fistulous tracts, by dissolv- 

 ing its continuity. Peuch has reported the history of an 

 oesophageal fistula in a horse, following an abscess in the 

 lower part of the neck. Ries mentioned a cutaneo-mucous, 

 buccal fistula succeeding an abscess of strangles. Necrosis 

 of the lateral cartilage is always complicated with a cutane- 

 ous fistula (quittor). Dental decay is a frequent cause of bi- 

 mucous fistula in solipeds (dental fistula). In solipeds, for- 

 eign bodies are often the origin of inexhaustible suppura- 

 tion. Cadeac observed a fistula that resulted' from the re- 

 tention of a glass tube in the pleura. Certain parasitic 

 tumors of botryomycostic origin are nominally fistulous in 

 character. In bovines the two sole causes are hot abscesses 

 and foreign bodies. Abscesses of the abdominal wall which 

 have been inauspiciously opened often leave fistulse as a 

 sequela. Abscesses of the udder may cause perforation of 

 the galactophorous sinus or of the teat (lacteal fistula). 

 Gastrotomy, rumenotomy, or urethrotomy, are nearly al- 

 ways followed by incurable fistulse. Actinomycostic tumors 

 are noted for their fistulous tracts after having attained a 

 certain development. 



In the ox, foreign bodies are the chief factors in the pro- 

 duction of fistulse. As foreign bodies are capable of penetrat- 

 ing everywhere and of ulcerating the skin at any point, they 

 can thus excavate fistulous tracts in any part of the body. 

 Berger has drawn a pair of scissors from a fistula in a cow. 

 Observations of this kind are too numerous to mention. In 

 the goat, fistulse following abscess of the udder are very fre- 

 quent. Coronary phlegmon or whitlow often leave very ex- 

 tensive fistulous tracts behind them. 



In the dog dental fistulae are not uncommon. Certain 

 ulcerated tumors may cause complete perforation of the lips 

 and finally it is not uncommon to find fistulse following punc- 

 tures of the plantar pad or interdigital spaces. Ducourneau 



