The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-04-13
FARM CORRESPONDENCE,
Fistulous Withers and Poll Evil.

ElSbu1OuS w ltueIS anu IOIl Evil.
press Bulletin No. 12l Kansas Expert
ment StationD
Fistulous withers, often called "thiste-
low Is a running sore that follows the
forna ton of an abscess or gathering in
the region of the withers of horxcS, or in
the upper part of the neck Just in front
of the withors. A pol-cvil is a similar
condition occurring in the region of the
poll.
CAUSES -Tistulous withers and poll
evil are caused by specific germs gaining
entrance to The system probably through
the food or water. and locating in the
regions above described where they cause
pus or matter to form and thus produce
an absceSs. If is possible that they may
be caused or aggravated by local injuries
such as blows or Uniting collars or sad
dies or from hitting the poll gainst the
ceiling. or from pulling on halter.
SYMPTOMS. first there is a diffuse
swelling Of the withors or poll, usually
on one side or the other; this swelling S
often tender and causes some stiffness in
the muscles Of the part. Later the swell
ing becomes more prominent in some part,
softens. and unless opened. breaks and
discharges pus or matter The sore thus
formed is lined with a smooth false
membrane that secretcs puS and is very
difficult to heal. Sometimes fistua Of
the withers. or poll-evil, will discharge
for a year or two and frequently causes
the death Of the animal
TREATMENT the early stages II is
often possible to cause their absorption
or scatter" them by bathing the affected
part with hot water rubbing and knead-
ing the parts thoroughly and applying
oh f1Ii
ing: Strong ammonia, one ounce; turpen-
tine. one ounce: water. one ounce; lin
seed oil. five ounces. This should be APP
piled once daily until the skin begins to
get sore. when it can be withheld for
few days and repeated Application of
tnctUre of iodine. and bisterS are also
used to scatter" fistula and poll-eVil.
After much pus or matter has accumu~
lated ii is impossible to scatter them,
then they should be opened freely with
knife; good surgeons often dissect them
out, at least so far as is possible. The
incision should be made as low down as
possible to give free drainage. In most
cases a cavity Will he found with one or
more pipes" extending into the tissues
In case the bones Of the withers are I'LL
ceratcd they must be removed surgically.
The cavity should he thoroughly cleaned
out and kept clean. all pieces of diseased
tissue removed and the cavity dried by
swabbing out with absorbent cotton.
Pure tincture of iodine should be injected
once daily after cleaning and drying. y
solution of one part of carb0ic acid in
twenty-five parts OF water is good to clean
1t out Pure turpentine can be used in
place of iodine with good results in some
cases.
tfI Of Ft,t.
opening is to thoroughly swab out the in
side of the cavity and pipes with good
liquid caustic such as butter Of anthony.
In place of a swab rags saturated with
butter of anthony can be packed in the
cavity and pipes; they should be re-
moved in a few minutes This destroys
the false membrane. which sloughs
out in a day or two The dstula should
be washed Out daily a per cent solution
of carbolic acid used. and the parts kept
clean. In using a caustic it should be
used once fully and thoroughlv Re
pcatod use Of caustics is Injurious and
strong caustics should be used with
caution
Rubbing with linment Or applying a
light blister about the diseased part is
often useful in assisting the healing pro-
cess. Otner good solutions used to inject
INTO the cavities for cleaning and healing
are: Corrosive subIimate one part water
one-thousandth part; blue vitrioi puver-
lied, one teaspoonful dissolved in pin.
Of water. or / per cent solutiont of
creolu or similar coal tar products.
In treating these diseases, good
syringe with n long nozzle that can he
inserted into all parts of the 1stula. is
essential. Showcrine the part once daily