170 The Diseases of Animals 



should be injected into the fistula about once in eight 

 or ten days. Another good method of treatment is to 

 use no water on the fistula after opening, but to swab 

 out with dry absorbent cotton and inject pure tincture of 

 iodine once daily. There are many other good remedies. 

 A vaccine is now made from the germs that cause 

 pus. This vaccine gives excellent results in most cases 

 of fistulas and other cases of chronic or severe pus infec- 

 tion. The vaccine is usually injected in the jugular vein 

 or under the skin. It should be given by a veterinarian. 



Fistulous Withers 



This disease, frequently called "thistelow," is prac- 

 tically the same condition as poll-evil, except that it 

 occurs on the withers, or lower and back part of the 

 top of the neck. The causes are believed to be the 

 same, — bruises or injuries, allowing germs to invade the 

 tissues. The treatment is the same except that here 

 it is easier to secure good drainage. If possible, get an 

 opening at the bottom and top or on both sides of the 

 withers or neck. In some cases, when the healing 

 process is slow, a seaton or tape passed through the 

 fistula and left there gives excellent results. The 

 seaton should be shifted to a clean place each day, the 

 wound well washed, and antiseptics used. When the 

 fistula is nearly filled up, the seaton should be removed. 



In fistulous withers, the spinous processes of the 

 back-bone may become diseased, and it is necessary to 

 cut them off before the sore will heal. It sometimes 

 requires months to cure a bad ease of this disease. 



