ABSCESSES. 475 



formation of more than one exit for the inflammatory products, it is 

 called a carbuncle. 



ACUTE ABSCESSES. 



Acute abscesses follow as the result of local inflammation in glands, 

 muscular tissue, or even bones. They are very common in the two 

 former. The abscesses most commonly met with in the horse (and 

 the ones which will be here described) are those of the salivary glands, 

 occurring during the existence of " strangles," or " colt distemper." 

 The glands behind or under the jaw are seen to slowly increase in 

 size, becoming firm, hard, hot, and painful. At first the swelling is 

 uniformly hard and resisting over its entire surface, but in a little 

 while becomes soft — fluctuating — at some portion, mostly in the 

 center. From this time on the abscess is said to be " pointing," or 

 " coming to a head," which is shown by a small elevated or projecting 

 prominence, which at first is dry, but soon becomes moist with trans- 

 uded serum. The hairs over this part loosen and fall off, and in a 

 short time the abscess opens, the contents escape, and the cavity grad- 

 ually fills up — heals by granulations. 



Abscesses in muscular tissue are usually the result of bruises or 

 injuries. In all cases where abscesses are forming we should hurry 

 the ripening process by frequent hot fomentations and poultices. 

 When they are very tardy in their development a blister over their 

 surface is advisable. It is a common rule with surgeons to open an 

 abscess as soon as pus can be plainly felt, but this practice can 

 scarcely be recommended to owners of stock indiscriminately, since 

 this little operation frequently requires an exact knowledge of anat- 

 omy. It will usually be found the better plan to encourage the full 

 ripening of an abscess and allow it to open of itself. This is imj)era- 

 tive if the abscess is in the region of joints, etc. When open, we 

 must not squeeze the walls of the abscess to any extent. They may 

 be very gently pressed with the fingers at first to remove the clots — 

 inspissated pus — but after this the orifice is simply to be kept open 

 by the introduction of a clean probe, should it be disposed to heal too 

 soon. If the opening is at too high a level another should be made 

 into the lowest portion of the abscess so as to permit the most com- 

 plete drainage. Hot fomentations or poultices are sometimes required 

 for a day or two after an abscess has opened, and are particularly 

 indicated when the base of the abscess is hard and indurated. 



The cavity should be thoroughly washed with stimulating anti- 

 septic solutions, such as 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid, 3 to 5 per 

 cent solution of creolin, 1 to 1,000 bichloride of mercury, or 1 per 

 cert permanganate of potash solution. If the abscesses are foul 

 and bad smelling, their cavities should first be syringed with 1 part 

 of hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts of water and then followed by the 

 injection of any of the above-mentioned antiseptics. 



