STRANGLES. 247 



formation of matter. Hence fomentations, if applied, must be followed 

 by a poultice. 



Blisters have been recommended, but are objectionable in the early 

 stage at least, because they tend to disperse the swelling instead of 

 developing the abscess. When, however, the tumour has begun to 

 soften, a light blister will assist in bringing on the desired action in cases 

 where the progress is unduly tardy. 



498. Opening of the Abscess. 



It has been generally recommended that when an abscess is pointing 

 externally, it should be opened, as soon as it appears ready to burst, at 

 its most depending point, so as to afford the best and freest exit for the 

 matter. If it is determined to adopt this treatment, the incision must 

 be kept open and clean, and the abscess very gently pressed, and occa- 

 sionally injected with warm water by means of a syringe in order to 

 clear away any matter which may be adhering to its sides. Or a small 

 piece of tow may be put into the opening, and occasionally removed to 

 prevent the wound from closing too soon. 



When the abscess is deep-seated, very great caution is needed in the 

 operation for fear of injuring with the lancet any of the blood-vessels in 

 its neighbourhood. Any considerable flow of blood may prove fatal to 

 an animal already in a weak and debilitated state ; and again if the 

 lancet should cut through the duct of the salivary gland, we may have a 

 very troublesome fistulous sore, discharging saliva. 



It is also urged that an incised opening will heal more rapidly and be 

 less liable to leave a blemish than the irregular opening made by Nature. 

 This is true, but with good care and attention to cleanliness, no blemish 

 ought to result from either. 



Again, in opening the abscess by the lancet, there is a danger, and it 

 is a real danger, of opening it before it is really ready to burst. If an 

 abscess is opened immaturely, its natural development will be checked, 

 and it will be very likely to re-form on the mesentery, lungs, or other 

 internal structures, when a fatal result is only too probable. 



The better plan, however, is to leave nature alone. Nature will at the 

 right time, neither too soon nor too late, cause the abscess to open. We 

 may assist in developing the process of suppuration ; but the time, at 

 which the abscess is fully formed and ready to burst, depends on 

 Nature. 



Occasionally it happens that the tumour is so placed on the side of 

 the throat, that by pressing on the windpipe it causes extreme difficulty 

 in breathing. In such cases it may be necessary to open it, even though 

 not fully matured ; and if it can be laid well open with safety, the 

 operation will give relief. In extreme cases relief to the breathing can 

 only be obtained by opening the windpipe by the operation known as 

 tracheotomy. This operation is very simple and quite safe in the hands 

 of a Veterinary Surgeon. Though the glands about the head are the 

 usual seat of the tumour, yet abscesses may, as mentioned above, form 

 in any of the glandular structures. 



