776 
W. J. MARTIN. 
in position, and the operation is complete. The after treatment 
is quite simple. Within 48 hours after the operation, the su¬ 
tures and pledget are removed ; the cavity is again thoroughly 
irrigated with carbolized water, and when dry is dressed 
with carbolized oil. I have never found it necessary to 
keep the edges of the wound sutured, as this has a tendency 
to retard the free flow of pus ; the wound will gradually close up 
and leave no blemish without them. 
I11 treating wounds of this kind absolute cleanliness must be 
observed. If in summer, washing once or twice a day with 
warm water and castile soap must be done. When dry the parts 
may be anointed with carbolized oil, 1:30 is strong enough. In 
winter washing should be done but seldom or not at all, as by 
the chilling influence of the air healing is retarded. Pure car¬ 
bolized adepis or lanolin is then the best dressing to use over the 
entire diseased parts. In summer I use no compress or cover¬ 
ing of any kind, save a piece of muslin sheeting saturated in 
the oil and laid over the parts to keep flies away. In winter a 
light woolen blanket, placed over the withers, serves to protect 
the wound from the cold. 
To sum up .—The great desideratum in treating fistulous 
withers is (a) to make one common sore of the entire diseased 
tissue with a good dependent opening for the discharge of pus. 
(b) After the operation, let the parts severely alone ; do not 
probe or handle the parts needlessly, as by so doing you inter¬ 
fere with the healing process, (c) Feed the animal well ; be¬ 
cause an animal in good condition makes a much better and 
quicker recovery than one in poor flesh. 
The time required for the entire healing of a fistula under 
this method of treatment will vary, some healing in from three 
to four weeks, and some where the healing will require six to 
eight weeks. 
Recurrence .—Where the operation has been properly per¬ 
formed and the animal not put to work too soon afterwards, I 
find recurrence to be very rare. 
