Abscess of the Poll, Poll Evil
Is often from neglect a very formidable disease. It is generally the result of severe injury upon the top of the head, such as the chafing of the bridle or halter, pressure, or a blow against the manger or stall, or frequent hanging back against the headstall.
Symptoms.—At first a tumor forms at the polls or junction of the head and neck. It soon becomes hot, tense and painful; the horse carries his head low; looks to one side; eats but little from the pain of chewing, especially if the food is hard. If the tumor is not dispersed, it comes to a head, either discharges externally, or the matter failing to come to the surface, sinks downward, burrowing along beneath the surface among tendons, ligaments and bones, forming deep and obstinate fistulous ulcers.
Treatment.—Before the tumor has softened, give the A.A., fifteen drops three times per day, keep the horse on low diet, and bathe the swelling frequently with Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel. This course will usually disperse the swelling or should it fail to do so will limit it to the smallest possible extent.
If the tumor has come to a head, is soft or fluctuating, lance it at once, evacuate the contents, and give fifteen drops of the I.I., morning and night, apply Humphreys’ Veterinary Oil three times per day to the sore. For old neglected cases apply the Veterinary Oil, and give I.I., daily.
Fistula of the Withers—Sweeny
This disease very much resembles Poll Evil in the textures involved and the difficulty in curing it. It begins with an inflammation of the connecting tissues of the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebræ and the ultimate formation of an abscess. Being confined by the fascia or ligamentous structures, the matter cannot find its way to the surface, but forms sinuses or pipes, and by the force of gravity, burrows down among the muscles which connect the shoulder with the trunk. Sometimes it consists of a cyst filled with a serum, and then is easy to cure. As the muscles of the withers are connected with all the movements of the neck as well as the back and legs, the disease rapidly increases, and the inflammation extends; the shoulder becomes lower, the ligaments, cartilage, and spinous process are involved, and extensive mischief ensues.
Cause.—A badly fitting saddle, and most commonly a side-saddle, which, pressing on the spinous processes of the vertebræ, produces first soreness and subsequent inflammation.
Symptoms.—Swelling and tenderness either on the top of the withers or a little on one side of the spinal process at that point; and in a short time fluctuation under the finger. Should the skin have been much bruised, a circular portion sloughs out and leaves an unhealthy looking sore, from which there is a discharge, and on further examination with a probe we find a cyst from which there is only one outlet, or we find fistulous ducts (“pipes,” in farriers’ language) leading in various directions. In many more advanced cases we only discover a hard tumor on the withers, which will neither suppurate nor disappear by resolution, and to which, although coming under the head of Fistulous Withers, the term is evidently inappropriately applied.
Treatment.—First remove the cause by taking off and quite altering the bearing of the saddle. If the swelling is recent and does not fluctuate, thoroughly rub in the Veterinary Oil, repeating the operation every day, giving a dose of B.B. also morning and night. If a cyst exists and fluctuation is perceptible, it must be opened at the most dependent portion, and the matter drawn off, and the part rubbed with the Veterinary Oil, and a portion of it injected into the sack or opening every day. If long pipes or sinuses exist, they must also be opened and the Veterinary Oil injected. Give also, morning and night, I.I. daily.