Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1917-01-30
WOUNDS OF HORSES
FistuIas May Exist in Any Part
of the Animals Body.
FOLLOW BRUISES ANDWOUNDS
Among More Common Causes Are
Chatting by the Halter or Heavy
Bride, Blows From Whip and
Horse Striking Head.

Horse striking f1eao.
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agricultvrc.t
The word fstula is applied tc any
ulcerOus lesion upon the external sur
face of the body which is connected by
ducts, or passages, with some internal
cavity. Fistulas may exist In any part
of the body, but the name has come to
be commonly accepted as applicable
only to such LESSONS when found upon
the withers. Poll evil Is fistula upon
the poll, and in no sense differs from
fstulous withers except in location
The description of fistula will apply,
then, in the main, to poll evil equally
well. Quittor presents the character
istic tubular passages of fistula and
may, therefore, be considered and
treated as fiStula of the foot. Fistulous
passages may also be developed upon
the sides of the face, through which
saliva is discharged instead of flow
ing into the mouth, and are called salt
vary fistulas. A dental fistula may
arise from the decay of the root of
tooth. Again, fistula is sometimes
hernia, and fistulas have been devel-
Oped in mares, following difficult partu-
rition. FistulaS may arise from wounds
Of glandular organs or their ducts, and
thus we have the So-called mammary
DR. lacrimal fstulas.
Fistulous tracts are lined with a
false membrane and show no DISPOSE
ton to heal. They constantly afford
means of exit to the pus discharged
by the unhealthy parts below. They
are particularly liable to develop at
the witherS or poll because of the ex-
posed positions which these parts oc-
cupy, and, having once become located
there, they usually assert a tendency
to further extension. because the ver-
teal and laminated formation of the
muscles and tendons Of these parts
allows the forces of gravitation to as
Sist the pus in gaining the deeper-lying
structures and also favOrs it's retention
among them.
Causes.
FiStulas follow as a result of alb
scesses, bruises, wounds, or long-con-
Linued irritation by the harness.
6stula of the poll (poll eviD are
chatting by the halter or heavy bride;
blows from the butt-end of the whip;
the horse striking his head against the
hayrack, beams of the ceiling, low
doors, etc. Fistulous withers are seen
mostly in those horses that have thick
necks as well as those that are very
high in the withers; or, among saddle
horses, those that are very low on the
withers, the saddle here riding forward
and bruising the parts. In either of
these locations ulcers of the skin, or
simple assesses, if not properly and
punctually treated, may become fistu-
las. They are often caused by bad
lifting collars or saddles, by direct in
jurieS from blows, and from the horse
rolling upon rough or sharp stones.
The pus burrows and finds lodgment
deep down between the muscles, and
escapes only when the sinus becomes
surcharged or when, during motion of
the parts, the matter is forced to the
surface.
Symptoms.
These, of course, will vary accord
ing to the progress made by the fistula.
Following an injury there may be sore
ness or stiffness of the front legs,
and upon careful examination of the
withers small tortuous lines running
from the point of irritation downward
and backward over the region of the
shoulder may be seen. These are swol-
len and painful to the touch. In day
or two swelling is noticed on one or
both sides of the dorsal vertebrae,
which is hot, painful, and rapidly en-
larging. The stiffness of the limbs
may disappear at this time, and the 4
become less noticeable, but the swell
ing remains and continues to enlarge.
A fistulous ulcer of the poll may be
first indicated by the opposition which
the animal offers to the application of
stable brush or bride. At this time
the parts are so sore and sensitive that
there is some danger that unless ham
died with the greatest care the patient
will acquire disagreeable stable habits
The disease in its early stages may be
recognized as a soft, fiuctuating tu-
NOR surrounded by infiammatory swell
ing. with the presence of enlarged
Emphatic vessels and stiffness of the
neck. Later the inflammation of the
surrounding tissues may disappear,
leaving a prominent tumor. The swell
ing, whethe. situated upon the head or
the withers, may open and form a run
ming ulcer, or its contents may dry up
and leave a tumor which gradually de-
yelops the common characteristics of
a fibrous tumor. When the enlarge
ment has opened, carefully examine its
cavity, as treatment will depend Who'll.
ly upon its condition.
Treatment
In the earliest stage, when there is
soreness, enlarged lymphatics, but no
well-marked swelling. the trouble may
frequently be aborted. To do this re-
quires both general and local treat
ment. A physic should be givea. and
the horse receive one ounce of pow.
dered saltpeter three times day in
his water or feed. If the fever runs
high, 20-drop doses of tincture of
aconite root every two hours may be
administered The local application of
cold water TO the infiamed spot for an
hour at time three or four times
day, has often proved very beneficial.
and has afforded great relief.
Cooling lotions. muriate of ammonia,
or saltpeter and water: sedative
washes, such as tincture of opium and
aeonite, chloroform liniment, or cam
phorate6 oil, are also to be. frequently