TREATMENT OF SADDLE-GALLS. 
241 
the third dorsal vertebra. The necrotic parts were removed with the bistoury 
and curette, and the wound dressed with creolin, and at later stages with iodine 
tincture and iodoform. Progress was very slow, and supplementary opera¬ 
tions became necessary. Spraying with warm creolin solution, followed by 
dressing with traumatol, finally proved successful, but the case lasted between 
four and five months. (“ Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Surgery,” p. 354.) 
Still graver is burrowing of pus under the scapula. In such cases 
necrosis of the scapula and its cartilage readily occurs, and great 
difficulty is found in effecting the escape of pus. The process may 
involve the inner surface of the scapula on account of the extension of 
purulent process and necrosis of the fascia of the serrati muscles, and 
the disease thus become further removed from the possibility of direct 
treatment. In such cases counter openings at the posterior border of 
the scapula, trephining the scapula, and the insertion of drainage-tubes, 
may be tried, though such treatment often fails. Portal removed the 
entire cartilage of prolongation of the scapula through a V-shaped 
incision, the point of the V being above. A portion of the upper 
margin of the scapula was also removed. Several divided arterioles 
were ligatured. The wound was dressed for three weeks with Villat’s 
solution, and for a fortnight with Kabel’s solution; cicatrisation was 
then complete. Such success is, however, exceptional. 
In bruises of the withers, inflammatory disease of the bursa mucosa 
lying on the superior spinous processes of the 5th to 7th cervical verte¬ 
brae, may occur. In such cases a flat fluctuating swelling appears on 
the withers close to the middle line, sometimes on one, sometimes on 
both sides; often attains the size of a small cheese-plate, and is 
attended by moderately developed symptoms of inflammation. The 
condition consists of bursitis with extravasation of serum or blood 
(hydrops or haematoma of the bursa), and may be easily mistaken for 
extravasation or abscess. Its slow progress, and its appearing on both 
sides, distinguish it from lymph or blood extravasations, which usually 
develop rapidly. It is easier, but more dangerous, to regard it as an 
abscess, because incision always produces pus formation, which it is 
desirable to avoid. The hard swelling produced by infiltration, appearing 
around an abscess, distinguishes it from the soft surroundings usually 
met with in bursitis. Should difficulty occur in diagnosis, an exploratory 
puncture may be made under antiseptic precautions. After carefully 
disinfecting the skin, a sterilised needle or an exploratory trochar may 
be passed. Should serum or blood alone be discharged, it is clear that 
the case is one of bursitis or extravasation. After removing the contents, 
compresses should be applied to keep up moderate pressure on the 
diseased spot, and prevent recurrence of the exudation ; while to avoid 
infection, disinfectants are used in the dressings. Where these cannot 
be applied, infriction with sublimate ointment (1 to 8) may be adopted. 
v.s. R 
