Poll -evil 169 



carries 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 flnally break 

 through and discharge sonie distance from the seat 

 of the trouble. 



In the early stages, poll -evil can sometimes be 

 "scattered" 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 carbolic acid to thirty parts of 

 water. Showering the parts once daily with cold 

 water from a hose is advisable. Pure tincture of iodine 



