The Grit-advocate., 1903-08-21
Poll Evil and FistuIa.

Poll EVIL and Fistula.
We have recently received inquiries
as to treatment Of these two trouble
some diseases and will deal with them
jointly, as they are much alike. Poll
evil is the term commonly applied
TO a swelling forming back of the
ears. due to bruise on stable door or
roof or elsewhere, and finally forming
pus, which runs from openings con-
Meeting with ramifying pipes or sin
uses. Fistula of the withers, often
termed "thistilo," is a similar en-
argement and condition of the with
ers, due to bruising from collar, roll
ing, blows. bites of other horses, etc.
The first principle of successful treat
ment is to see that pus has free out
let from the first. If it is allowed
10 remain In the abscess and merely
leak out Of small opening, it bur-
rows deeply and forms pipes which
run in different directions, and SO ag-
gravate the condition that it is later
very difficult to cure. In poll evil and
tistula the enlargement may, if taken
in time, sometimes be scattered by
repeated blistering. For this purpose
mix together two drachms each of
powdered cantharides and biniodide OF
mercury In two ounces of lard; clip
hair from part; rub the blister in for
Is minutes; wash it OF in three days,
then apply lard daily. 1t is also well
to smear lard under the blistered part
so that sound skin may not be in
jured. Repeat blistering every two
weeks unless skin is too sore. This
blister1ng is also to be done in the
treatment OF assesses Of the poll and
withers. which have been opened and
are seen to be healing nicely. II the
blister on the unopened abscess does
not scatter 1t 1t will have the effect
OF bringing 1t "to a head" SO that
when the enlargement becomes soft
it may be freely opened for the evacu-
alton of pus. The opening may be
fearlessly made in the abscess Of the
withers, but in the poll evil the seat
Of the abscess is dangerous one
and the knife must be carefully used.
Merely open through the skin at the
softest place, then introduce the
cleansed finger and with it break
down the tissues underlying the skin
until all parts of the abscess have
been explored and to provide free
drainage then cut the skin further
SO as to make free opening. If the
skin alone be cut in this way i'm
portant arteries are not likely to be
cut and dangerous bleeding will not
take place. The openings should be
made as low as possible, so that the
pus may find free vent, and 1t is usu-
ally necessary to open on both sides
Of the neck or withers, as the pipes
run from one side to another. Hav-
ing made the first openings, then 10
cate the end Of each pipe and pocket
and open at such ends, SO that pus
may drain out. This cutting done
in both cases, the next step is to keep
the cavities free from pus, and we
have found that this is best done by
free washing with large quantity of
hot antiseptic solution. We prefer two
gallons of hot per cent solution of
permanganate of potash, introduced
by means of nozzle attached to a
long, half-inch hose fitted onto a tin
spout let into the rim at bottom of
large, clean pail, to be hoisted high
above horses back. Use this once
daily to flush out the cavities, and
when done pack the cavities in fis.
tula Of the withers with oakum, to be
saturated in mixture of equal parts
Of turpentine and raw linseed oil, and
in poll evil syringe out cavities with
solution of an ounce OF chloride OF
zinc, two ounces Of sulpnate OF zinc
a pint of water. Smear lard under
the openings to prevent skin from
being excoriated, and each day probe
openings with finger to make sure
that no new pockets have formed, and
if such are found, open them freely
as before. 1t will require from two
to six months to cure bad case of
fistula of either location, but the
above plan will be found effective, for
it has been practiced for many years.
In starting to treat chronic, bad
case of fistula of either trouble, we
also advocate the internal use of
iodide of potash in drachm doses
twice daily. except for pregnant mares,
as it is likely to cause abortion. 1t
is useless to be constantly changing
the treatment and doing what every
neighbor advises. Stick to one plan
and follow it out patiently until the
cure is obtained, and this necessitates
cleanliness such as we have sug-
gested-Farmers' Review.
Breeding Young Cows.
An experienced stOckman says: