Poll-evil 169 
earries his head with the nose protruded to get relief. 
At first the poll-evil contains a yellowish watery fluid. 
This fluid, which later becomes pus, often burrows 
between the muscles of the neck for considerable dis- 
tances, and, if no opening is made, it may finally break 
through and discharge some distance from the seat 
of the trouble. 
In the early stages, poll-evil can sometimes be 
“seattered” by the application of cold water, followed 
by thorough rubbing with a stimulating liniment, or 
by applications of iodine, either the tincture or as an 
ointment. These remedies may be applied until the 
skin begins to get sore, when they should be withheld 
for a few days. If the poll-evil is not scattered, it 
must be opened as soon as pus can be detected. A 
good-sized incision should be made as low as possible, 
to give free drainage. The false membrane can be 
dissected out with the knife or destroyed with a caustic. 
Chlorid or “butter” of antimony, applied by means 
of a swab to every portion of the lining membrane of 
the cavity or the tubes which extend from it, is excellent. 
Other caustics used for this purpose are a small piece 
of lunar caustic placed in each cavity or tube, a small 
lump of blue vitriol, or absorbent cotton wet with a 
strong solution (one to one hundred) of corrosive sub- 
limate. After using the caustic, the fistula should be 
washed out once daily and a mild antiseptic used, such 
as corrosive sublimate (one part to a thousand of 
water), or one part ecarbolic acid to thirty parts of 
water. Showering the parts once daily with cold 
water from a hose is advisable. Pure tincture of iodine 
