532 
THE VETERINARY ART IN INDIA. 
existed for many months — l believe upwards of a year. Saline ap- 
plications had been employed, and the disease increased. I or- 
dered a solution of one drachm of blue vitriol in a pint of water to 
wash the parts two or three times a-day. At the same time two 
or three doses of physic were given, of one ounce of aloes and two 
drachms of calomel each. The animal in consequence discharged 
an immense quantity of gravel and sand, perhaps to the weight of 
twelve or fourteen pounds ; and after ten or twelve days, the parts 
were perfectly dry, and the hair again appeared. I heard, some 
months afterwards, that the cure was complete. In this case I 
suspect the poverty of blood proceeded from the lacteals (which 
convey the nourishment from the bowels into the system) being 
obstructed with the gravel and sand that had accumulated from 
the animal’s eating the grass unwashed. 
Poll-evil. 
There is an ulcer to which the animal is subject, and which from 
its situation is often not a little dangerous, if not properly treated. 
It is caused by frictions of the headstraps of the bridle or halter, 
and also arises from blows on the head. It first inflames and tu- 
mefies, and frequently is not discovered until suppuration has 
taken place, and the abscess bursts. If discovered in the first 
stage of inflammation, it will be removed by the remedies recom- 
mended under that head ; but if matter has formed, and the 
abscess is open, it must be dressed with lint, and over it a 
plaister or dressing of some mild digestive ointment, as basilicon, 
and a warm milk poultice over that may be necessary. If the 
orifice of the wound is small, it should be opened with a knife, 
in such a manner as will prevent the confinement of the matter; 
for if healed too soon, or matter is confined, it makes its way 
down to the bone, where, corrupting the membranes, the bone 
becomes rotten, by which the animal is sometimes destroyed. 
Sore Back. 
Another part to which the animal is very subject to be at- 
tacked with inflammation, abscess, and ulcer, is the back and 
withers. They generally arise from too small or too large a 
saddle, &c. The cure of these must depend on the state in 
which they are first detected : if in the earliest stage, the tu- 
mefied part may be well rubbed three or four times a-day with salt, 
or saltpetre dissolved in cold spring water. If matter forms 
(which may be discovered by the observations when treating of 
abscess), warm emollient poultices may be applied over the part, 
first rubbing it with some spirits of turpentine ; and when the 
