THE ARMY HORSE, 63 



suits are often obtained by alternating this with a dressing of 

 olive oil 3 parts and creolin 2 parts. Should proud flesh ap- 

 pear, the three sulphates (iron, copper, and zinc) may be used, 

 or poAvdered copper sulphate alone. Use until the granules 

 disap[)ear. AVhen the wound begins to heal nicely, it is better 

 to dispense with the pad and bandage. 



ABSCESSES. 



An abscess is an unnatural collection, in the tissues, of fluids, 

 such as pus or serum. It is the result of inflannnation caused 

 by an injury or by the infection of pus germs. The swelling 

 usually softens at some point, unless it be filled with serum, in 

 which case it is soft and fluctuates at all points and lies directly 

 beneath the skin. 



Soft, pull'y swellings in the neighborhood of joints and 

 tendons should not be mistaken for abscesses, as they are 

 usually bursal enlargements, filled with synovia and requiring 

 ditferent treatment. (See "General treatment of sprains.") 



Treatment. — A pus abscess, if slow in development, should be 

 poulticed until it softens at some part, where it can be opened 

 by cutting through the skin ; then insert a blunt instrument 

 through the Avail into the pus cavity, thus avoiding any danger 

 of injury to blood vessels or other structures. When freely 

 opened, the cavity should be flushed out tAvice dail}^ Avith some 

 antiseptic solution, care being exercised to prevent the external 

 wound from healing before the formation of pus has ceased. 

 In every case provision must be made for free drainage at the 

 lowest point. 



A serous abscess (one in Avhich Ave find the yelloAvish, Avatery, 

 and often bloody serum) is treated as folloAvs: Clip the hair 

 aAvay and wash the skin Avith an antiseptic; Avith an instru- 

 ment that has been thoroughly disinfected make a small open- 

 ing; after all fluid has escaped apply a blister of biniodide of 

 mercury, 1 to 6, OA^er the outside of the area occupied by the 

 original swelling. If it fills again, repeat the treatment. 



