The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1917-03-02
WOUNDS OF HORSES
flstuIas May Exist in Any Part
Of the Animals Body.
FOLLOW BRUISES ANDwouNDS
Among More Common Causes Arc
Chatting by the Halter or Heavy
Bride, Blows From Whip and
Horse Striking Head.

Bride, Blows From Whip and
Horse Striking Head.
prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture.)
The word fistula is applied to 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
hstulous withers except in location.
The description Of fistula will apply,
then, In the main, to poll evil equally
well. Quittor presents the character
1stic tubular passages Of a flstula 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 sail
vary tiStulas. A dental fistula may
arise from the decay Of the root Of
tooth. Again, fstula Is sometimes
noted at the navel associated with
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
or lacrimal f1stulas.
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-
there, they usually assert a tendency
to further extension, because the ver-
teal and Illuminated formation Of the
muscles and tendons of these parts
allows the forces Of gravltation to as
ssist the pus In gaining the deeper-lying
structures and also favOrS it's retention
among them.
k6u8S8s
Fistulas follow as a result Of alb
sscesses, bruises, wounds, or long-con-
tinued irritation by the harness.
Among the more common causes of
t1strla of the poll (poll eviD are
cha.ing by the halter or heavy bride
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
fitting collars or saddles, by direct In
juries from blows, and from the horse
Solling 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 thu
len and painful to the touch. In da,
or two a swelling is noticed on one o.
both sides of the dorsal vertebrae
which is hot, painful, and rapidly en-
iarging. The stiffness Of the limb
may disappear at this time, and thu
heat and soreness Of the parts ma,
become less noticeable, but the swell
Ing remains and continues to enlarge
A fistulous ulcer Of the poll may b.
first indicated by the opposition whicl
the animal offers to the application 0
stable brush or bride. At this tim
the parts are so sore and sensitive tina
there is some danger that unless han
died with the greatest care the pat1en
will acquire disagreeable stable habits
The disease in it's early stages may b
. recognized as a soft, fiuctuating tt
NOR surrounded by inflammatory swell
Ing, with the presence of enlarge
Emphatic vessels and stiffness of tn
neck. Later the Inflammation of tn
surrounding tissues may disappear
leaving a prominent tumor. The swell
ing, whether situated upon the head
the withers, may open and form rur
ming ulcer, or it's contents may dry u
and leave tumor which gradually d.
velops the common characteristics
a fibrous tumor. When the enlarg'
ment has opened, carefully examine II
cavity, as treatment will depend who
ly upon its condition.
Treatment.
In the earliest stage, when there
soreness, enlarged lymphatics, but I
well-marked swelling, the trouble. MT
frequently be aborted. To do this
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