480 DISEASES OP THE HOKSE. 



(fused) 1 to 2 inches in length may be introduced into the opening 

 and should be covered with oakum or cotton. The horse should then 

 be secured so that he can not reach the part -jv^ith his teeth. After the 

 caustic plug has been in place for twenty-four hours, it may be re- 

 moved and hot fomentations applied. As soon as the discharge has 

 become again established the abscess should be opened from its lowest 

 extremity, and the passage thus formed may be kept open by the in- 

 troduction of a seton. If the pipes become established in the deep 

 tissues beneath the shoulder blade or among the spines of the ver- 

 tebral column, it will often be found impossible to provide proper 

 drainage for the abscess from below, and treatment must consist of 

 caustic solutions carefully injected into all parts of the suppurating 

 sinuses. A very effective remedy for this purpose consists of 1 ounce 

 of chloride of zinc in half a pint of water, injected three times during 

 a week, after which a weak solution of the same may be occasionally 

 injected. Injections of Villate's solution or alcoholic solution of cor- 

 rosive sublimate, strong carbolic acid, or possibly oil of turpentine 

 will also prove beneficial. Pressure should be applied from below, 

 and endeavors made to heal the various pipes from the bottom. 



Should the swelling become general, without forming a well-defined 

 tumor, the placing of 20 to 30 grains of arsenious acid, wrapped in a 

 single layer of tissue paper, in a shallow incision beneath the skin will 

 often produce a sloughing of the affected parts in a week or ten days, 

 after which the formation of healthy tissue follows. The surrounding 

 parts of the skin should be protected from any damage from escaping 

 caustics by the application of lard or oil, as previously suggested. 



Although the successful treatment of fistulas requires time and 

 patience, the majority of cases are curable. The sinuses must be 

 opened at their lowest extremity and kept open. Caustic applications 

 must be thoroughly used once or twice, after which mild astringent 

 antiseptic washes should be persistently used until a cure is reached. 



It sometimes happens that the erosions have burrowed so deeply or 

 in such a direction that the opening of a drainage passage becomes 

 impracticable. In other cases the bones may become attacked in some 

 inaccessible location, or the joints may be affected, and in these cases 

 it is often best to destroy the horse at once. 



The reappearance of the fistula after it has apparently healed is not 

 uncommon. The secondary attack in these cases is seldom serious. 

 The lesion should be carefully cleansed and afterwards injected with 

 a solution of zinc sulphate, 20 grains, to the ounce of water, every sec- 

 ond or third day until a cure is effected. 



In fistula of the foot we see the same tendency toward the burrow- 

 ing of pus downward to lower structures, or in some cases upward 

 toward the coronet. Prior to the develojjment of a quittor there is 

 always swelling at the coronet, accompanied by heat and pain. 



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