POLL EVIL. 889 
some particular spot points, or till it feels softer, if it be not more 
prominent than the surrounding substance. Then have the animal cast. 
Being down, take a keen knife and open the spot before indicated. That 
being accomplished, pause while the secretion flows forth. Afterward 
insert into the cut a small, flexible probe. When its progress is impeded, 
employ the knife with a director. Continue doing this till the seat or 
center of the disease has been gained. 
Remember, however, you are not hacking at the family loaf; it is 
living and sensitive flesh you are wounding. Therefore, be very careful 
your knife is thoroughly sharpened, and is of sufficient size; mind, also, 
that all the cuts run smoothly into one another, so as to leave clean sur- 
faces for the healing process to unite. Having reached the heart of the 
disorder, proceed to empty out all the conercte matter. That done, wash 
out the part with a syringe and the coldest spring water. Afterward 
examine the cavity. Excise any loose pieces of tendon or of ligament, 
and cut until a healthy aspect is everywhere presented. Then rub the 
sides of the deep-seated wound with lunar caustic. Let the horse rise, 
giving orders that the sore is to be thoroughly moistened thrice daily 
with the solution of the chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce of water, 
and, placing a rag dipped in a solution of tar over the wound to keep 
off the flies, return the horse to the stable. 
If the disease be left to run its course, the swelling generally increases, 
while numerous openings at last disfigure the enlargement. From such 
drain a glairy discharge. This adheres to the surrounding parts, and, 
joined to the miserable expression of the countenance, gives to the horse 
a peculiarly unpleasant appearance. The flesh wastes under the per- 
petual anguish, and the half-conscious aspect of the creature justifies a 
suspicion that the brain is affected. 
In that case, proceed as before directed concerning casting the horse 
and the knife with which you operate. Have the blade rather too large 
than too small. Most veterinary instruments are mere adaptations of 
those employed by the human surgeon. The author never remembers 
to have seen anything approaching to the magnitude of a proper horses 
operating knife in the hands of his fellows. A small blade compels 
numerous small cuts. The part is rather snipped asunder than divided 
by one clean incision. The recovery is thereby materially delayed; and 
the lengthened operation greatly deteriorates from its chances of success, 
not to dwell upon the increased suffering occasioned to the quadruped. 
The horse being down, do not attempt any display of your proficiency. 
Look well and long at the part intended to be operated upon. Decide 
in your own mind the course in which the knife is to move. That course 
should be influenced by the direction in which you may probably sepa- 
