Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others].

Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    556/690 (page 478)
    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. They are often caused by bad-fitting collars or saddles, by direct injuries from blows, and from the horse rolling upon rough or sharp stones. In either of these locations, ulcers of the skin, or simple abscesses, if not properly and punctually treated, may become fistulas. The pus burrows and finds lodgment deep down between the muscles, and escapes only when the sinus becomes sur- charged or when, during' motion of the parts, the matter is forced to the surface. Symptoms.—These, of course, will vary according to the progress made by the fistula. Following an injury we may often notice sore- ness or stiffness of the front legs, and upon careful examination of the withers we will see small tortuous lines running from the point of irritation downward and backward over the region of the shoulder. These are superficial lymphatics, and are swollen and painful to the touch. In a day or two a swelling is noticed on one or both sides of the dorsal vertebras, which is hot and painful and rapidty enlarging. The stiffness of the limbs may disappear at this time, and the heat and soreness of the parts may become less noticeable, but the swelling 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 bridle. At this time the parts are so sore and sensitive that there is some danger that the patient will acquire disagreeable stable habits unless handled with the greatest care. The disease in its early stages may be recognized as a soft, fluctuating tumor surrounded by inflammatory swelling, 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 swelling, whether situ- ated upon the head or the withers, may open and form a running ulcer, or its contents may dry up and leave a tumor which gradually develops the common characteristics of a fibrous tumor. When the enlarge- ment has opened we should carefully examine its cavit}7, as upon its con- dition will wholly depend our treatment. 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 requires both general and local treatment. A physic should be given, and the horse receive 1 ounce of pow- dered saltpeter three times a 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 inflamed spot for an hour at a time three or four times a flay has