88 THE MULE. 



It will be very easily seen tliat the necessary course of 

 training, halter-breaking, &c., will expose them to 

 many of the causes of this disease. Aside from this, 

 tlie inhuman treatment of teamsters, and others who 

 have charge of them, frequently produces it in its worst 

 form. It begins with an ulcer or sore at the junction 

 where the head and neck join ; and from its position, 

 more than any other cause, is very difficult to heal. 

 The first thing to be done, when the swelling appears, 

 is to use hot fomentations. If these are not at hand, 

 use cold water frequently. Keep the bridle and halter 

 from tlie parts. In case inflammation cannot be abated, 

 and ulceration takes place, the only means to effect a 

 cure, with safety and certainty, is by the use of the 

 seton. This should be applied only by a hand well 

 skilled in the use of it. The person should also well 

 understand the anatomy of the parts, as injuries com- 

 mitted with the seton-ncedle, in tliose parts, are often 

 more serious and more difficult of cure than the disease 

 caused by tlie first injury. 



FISTULA. 



This is a disease the miile is more subject to than any 

 other animal in Government use. And this, on account 

 of his being used as a beast of burden by almost all 

 nations and classes of people, and because he is tlie 

 worst cared for. Fistula is tlie result of a bruise. Some 

 animals liave been known to produce it by rolling on 

 stones and other liard substances. It generally makes 

 i:s appearance first in the way of a rise or swelling 



