Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-02-02
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.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agrieulture.)
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 u fistula upon
the poll, and in no sense differs from
fistulous wlthers 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 sail
vary 1stulas. A dental fistula may
arise from the decay of the root of
tooth. Again, fistula Is sometimes
noted at the navel associated with
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 fistulas.
Flstulous tracts are lined with q
false membrane and show no disposl-
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 Illuminated 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 its retention
among them.
Causes.
Fistulas follow as a result of alb
scesses, bruises, wounds, or long-con-
tlnued irritation by the harness.
Among the more common causes of
flstrla of the poll (poll eyiD are
cha,ing by the halter or heavy bride;
blows from the butt-end of the whip;
the horse striking his head against the
hnyrack, beams of the ceiling, low
doors, etc. Tistulous 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, II not properly and
punctually treated, may become flstu-
las. They are often caused by bad
fitting collars or saddles, by direct In
iuries 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 tistula.
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 vertebrate,
which is hot, painful. and rapidly en-
targlng. The stiffness of the limbs
may disappear at this time, and the
heat and soreness of the parts may
become less noticeable, but the swell
ing remains and continues to enlarge
A fstulous 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 han
died with the greatest care the patient
will acquire disagreeable stable habits
The disease in it's early stages may bt
recognized as a soft, fluctuating tn
NOR surrounded by inflammatory swell
Ing, with the presence of enlarged
lymphatic vessels and stiffness of the
neck. Later the inflammation of the
surrounding tissues may disappear
leaving a prominent tumor. The swell
Ing, whether situated upon the head OF
the withers, may open and form run
Mug ulcer, or it's contents may dry III
AMI leave a tumor which gradually dc
velOps the common characteristics o
q fibrous tumor. When the enlarge
mcnt has opened, carefully examine 1T
cavity, as treatment will depend Who'll
Iy upon its condition.
Treatment.
In the earliest stage, when there
soreness, enlarged lymphatIcs, but n
weIl-marked swelling. the trouble ma
frequently be aborted. To do this n
quires both general and local trea
ment A physic should be given. an
the horse receive one ounce Of pow
dered snltDeter three times q day /