CHAPTER VIII. 
Poll-Evil. Inflamed and Fistulous Withers. Open Joints, Rupture. 
Choking. Osteo-porosis. Melanosis. 
POLL-EVIL. 
By the term poll-evil, we understand the growth of one or, more abscesses 
at the upper and back part of the skull, just behind the ears. This 
unfortunately common malady usually results from an injury, whether it be 
caused by a sudden blow, or by the use of a tight bearing rein. There is, as 
a rule, no difficulty in recognising poll-evil. In the early stages, one 
finds a soft diffuse swelling in the position mentioned, and the neck is held 
stiffly. The swelling is tender to the touch, more especially at first, and it 
gradually becomes more defined, and commonly ends in the formation of an 
abscess, When.we see a case of poll-evil, before matter is formed,.it is our 
custom to order the application of cooling lotions, such as those of acetate 
of lead and spirit, and to order the administration of a dose of aloes 
internally, with the view of possibly preventing the swelling terminating in 
the formation of an abscess. If, however, matter be already formed, it is 
necessary to freely open the-abscess at its base, as early as possible, and to 
foment the surrounding parts assiduously with warm water. The wound 
must be kept strictly clean ; and in order to promote its healing, the 
application of ointment of boric acid, or of that of eucalyptus iodoform and 
carbolic acid, the formulze for which we have already mentioned, will prove 
very useful. 
It not uncommonly happens that the inflammatory process spreads, and 
‘the disease then assumes a more chronic and obstinate character. The 
abscess having been left to burst spontaneously, discharges, in such a case, 
an unhealthy, fetid matter, and shows no tendency to heal, The “ pus’ 
burrows in various directions among the ligamentous tissues of the neck. 
In treating an animal thus afflicted, professional skill isnecessary. It is our 
practice to freely open the burrowing channels with the knife, and then to 
dress the wound once with some strong caustic solution, such as that of 
chloride of zinc. After thus destroying the walls of these sinuous passages 
made by the burrowing matter, we dress the wound with carbolic acid lotion, 
or ointment of iodoform and eucalyptus. Although such cases as these 
frequently prove troublesome, they are, as a rule, amenable to careful and 
judicious treatment. 
