390 POLL EVIL. 
rate the greater number of sinuses. In the engraving inserted below there 
are four holes, each indicating the presence of a sinus. The supposed 
direction of the knife is laid down by dotted lines. The primary and 
lower incision includes three of the pipes. That made, another connects 
the other sinus with the longer incision ; the after-labor necessitates the 
cleaning of the central sac, removing all the hanging pieces, also probing 
the sinuses, and making sure 
all are fairly opened. If any 
are found unopened, a director 
should be inserted, and the 
channel should be connected 
with the chief wound by means 
of a smaller knife. 
Two cautions are necessary 
Piper to be given with regard to the 
POLL EVIL IN ITS SECOND STAGE, OR WHEN READY FOR treatment of poll evil: Never 
OPLRATION, . . . 
permit the knife to be applied 
upon the root of the mane. Underneath the hair which decorates the 
neck of the horse lies an important ligament, by means of which the 
head is chiefly supported. All the evils which might be anticipated 
may not spring from the division of that development; but it is well to 
spare it, although the prostrate animal should have to be turned over, 
and the operation have to be continued on the other side. Also, when 
working the creature subsequent to its recovery, never use a collar. 
Wounds, although perfectly healed, are apt to remain morbidly sensitive ; 
serious accidents, over which the reader would deeply grieve, may occur 
from the harness touching the part which once was diseased. A breast 
strap is, therefore, to be much preferred. 
There are several popular methods of treating this disease. All, 
however, are cruel; one is barbarous; when properly conducted, none 
are efficient under the direction of a person possessing the smallest feel- 
ing. The injection of potent caustics in solution, or violent compression 
upon an exqnisitely tender swelling even until the force employed amounts 
to that power which can bring the sides of a distant internal cavity to- 
gether, drive out the corruption, and hold the part in that position while 
healing is established, have been largely advocated. Whoever could 
increase the suffering of a mute and patient life to that degree which the 
last method necessitates would merit a much severer punishment than 
the writer can afford space to detail. Of these modes of cure the author 
can profess no experience. He has, however, seen injections used; in 
no instance have they been successful. The time which they occupied 
was enormous, and the expense with which they were attended by no 
