THE POLL EVIL.
This disease may arise from accident, but is commonly the result of blows or bruises carelessly inflicted by those having charge of the horses. It is a tumor or swelling in the sinews, found between the noll bone and the uppermost joint of the neck, immediately on the nap of the neck.
Nearly all farriers, tell you to sell your horse for anything he will bring, or give him away; but I would advise you to keep your horse and cure him, which can be done quickly and surely with the following remedies:
Remedy No. 1.
First wash the sore well with strong warm soap suds, then drop 8 or 10 drops of muriatic acid in it twice a day, until it has the appearance of a fresh wound, after which it should be washed clean with soap suds from castile soap and then left to heal, which it will quickly do if the acid has been used long enough in a proper manner; but if it does not get well, wash as before, and apply the acid until a cure is effected. It is a sure remedy, and will not fail if applied properly until the disease is burnt out or killed.
In case you should drop any of the acid on the part that is not affected, apply a little oil, which will neutralize the power of the acid and prevent it from becoming sore.
Remedy No. 2.
When the disease first makes its appearance, take a quantity of asmart and put it to soak, letting it remain all night. In the morning take as much as you can hold in your hand and apply it to the swollen part, holding it there some 20 or 30 minutes, pressing on it as hard as you conveniently can, which must be repeated several times. This remedy generally scatters the disease, but if it should fail you will be obliged to use applications of a more astringent nature.
Remedy No. 3.
After the disease has fully shown itself, wash as directed in Remedy No. 1; then take Arsenic and apply it until the foul flesh has all disappeared, and let it heal. This is a certain remedy, and has cured several cases within my own knowledge.
Remedy No. 4.
Take 1 quart of strong ley and boil it into a salve, then apply a portion of the salve every 2 hours until the core comes out, and heal with elder ointment. If this remedy does not effect a cure on the first application, try it again, as it is a certain cure. Should the ley after being boiled down leave a hard substance, it must be worked into a salve.
Remedy No. 5.
First wash the ulcer well with warm soap suds; then take air-slacked lime and put as much into the sore as will lay on, which must be repeated 2 or 3 times a day, and the affected part cleaned and swabbed out as often. This, though very simple, is an excellent remedy, which I have never known to fail.
The foregoing remedies are very plain and simple, and cannot fail if properly applied. In washing the ulcers, use none other than castile soap, which is far superior to any other for cleansing and healing wounds and eruptions of any kind, and can be had from any of the drug stores at 25 cents per pound. It is also an excellent article for domestic purposes, such as shaving, &c. and will be found cheaper than any other fine or toilet soaps.