298 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY 



SETONS. 



In abscesses, ulcers, and tumours, the use of setons 

 will prove of great service. A seton is a piece of cord 

 or tape passed through the base of such ulcers as have 

 deep sinuses, or between the skin and muscles. This 

 is effected by means of an instrument resembling a 

 needle, and the seton is kept in its place by means of a 

 knot at each end, or tying the ends together. The 

 tape should be moved daily, and wetted with turpen- 

 tine, spirit of wine, or some acrid liquid, in order to 

 keep up the inflammation and promote the discharge 

 of matter, which is the purpose for which setons are 

 used. 



Setons are often useful in increasing a discharge in 

 the places contiguous to inflammation. For example : 

 In inflammation of the eye, a seton in the cheek will 

 act with much advantage, on the principle of counter- 

 irritation. In deep-seated inflammations many favour- 

 able results have been experienced in the use of setons. 

 For example : In inflammation of the navicular-joint, 

 great advantage has been derived from a seton, 

 although the reverse is the case with frog-setons for all 

 diseases of the foot. But where there is inflammation 

 in the larger organs, we must not expect to reap great 

 advantage, as their power of action is too limited. 



Where there are abscesses or tumours in the withers 

 or poll, the seton should be passed entirely through 

 from the bottom to the top, by which the fluid will be 

 discharged and the accumulation of more prevented. 

 They are especially valuable in deep fistulous sores, by 

 giving an outlet to the matter secreted in them, which, 

 if not discharged, would burrow deeper into the parts. 



