THE MULE. 89 



where the saddle has been allowed to press too hard on 

 the ■withers, and especially when the animal has high 

 and lean ones. As the animal becomes reduced in flesh, 

 the withers, as a matter of course, are more exposed 

 and appear higher, on account of the muscle wasting 

 from each side of the back-bone. This, under the sad- 

 dle, can be remedied to a great extent, by adding an ad- 

 ditional fold to the saddle blanket, or in making the pad 

 of the saddle high enough to keep it from the withers. 

 In packing with the pack-saddle this is more difficult, 

 as the weight is generally a dead, heavy substance, and 

 as the animal steps low or high, the pack does the same. 

 Much, however, might be done by care in packing, to 

 prevent injury to the withers and bruising of the back- 

 bone. When the withers begin to swell and inflamma- 

 tion sets in, or a tumor begins to form, the whole may 

 be driven away and the fistula scattered or avoided by 

 frequent or almost constant applications of cold water — 

 the same as is recommended in poll-evil. But if, in 

 despite of this, the swelling should continue or become 

 larger, warm fomentations, poultices, and stimulating 

 embrocations should be applied, in order to bring the 

 protuberance to its full formation as soon as possible. 

 When full, a seton should be passed, by a skillful hand, 

 from the top to the bottom of the tumor, so that all the 

 pus may have free access of escape. The incision 

 should be kept free imtil all the matter has escaped and 

 the wound shows signs of healing. The after treatment 

 must be similar to that recommended in the case of 

 poll-evil. The above treatment, if properly admin- 

 istered, will in nearly all cases oi fistula effect a cure. 



