612 
QUITTOR. 
different mtiologies have not been considered separately, but 
have all been, in each case, mixed together, and an average 
struck. Of what use are such averages ? It never seems to 
have occurred to practitioners that cases like these, or that 
cases like so-called navicular disease, and cases of disease of 
the navicular bone were entirely different things. In August, 
1892, I was called to a finely-bred mare due to foal last spring ; 
she had a faulty gait—she was a “ paddler ”—but carried her 
master some three miles to the station once or twice daily till 
November. She developed in August a condition of the 
withers which indicated fistula, which it finally proved to be. 
I ordered it not to be opened until “ fly-time ” was past. A 
flaxseed poultice, made with 5 per cent, solution of carbolic 
acid was put in a thin bag and attached under the front of an 
old, thin blanket every night; an abscess like a swelling soon 
organized, which I opened by drawing tapes through it in 
November. In a short time it was entirely cured. Her foal 
came along in due course, and she was again ready for service 
by the horse—a very vigorous young one. 
Immediately after, I was again notified that the mare had 
another fistula. Instead of true fistula, which it resembled, 
however, it proved to be the result of an accident, the stallion 
having bitterl the withers when serving her. This recovered 
in about three or four weeks, from the fact that it was merely 
a simple wound to the tissues, that were healthy when bitten. 
Then again, we have all seen cases where, from the fact that 
the feet having become tender, and the muscles, ligaments, 
and other tissues of the shoulders having become gradually 
changed from sympathy, or otherwise, the dorsal spines be¬ 
come injured, when lying or.rolling against the wall or floor, 
from repeated bruises, or other causes, tardy-healing sores 
are the result. 
Almost a similar class of cases is found in connection with 
poll-evil, which could not all have come from a simple blow, 
as formerly taught. 
Sincerely hoping that my remarks will offend no one, for 
they are only intended to stimulate investigation in newer 
lines ; to train the eyes that they may see differently and more 
