98 STRANGLES. 



In addition to tliis steaming of the upper air-passages, the 

 exhibition of compound camphor electuary twice or thrice 

 daily is much to be recommended. The external application 

 of soap or ammonia liniment, or, what is probably better, of a 

 mustard or mustard and linseed-meal poultice, or a smart 

 cantharides liniment, is, in the majority of cases of troublesome 

 angina and cough, productive of relief. When the swelling in 

 the submaxillary space becomes evident, or tumefaction any- 

 where in the region of the throat, warm- water fomentations or 

 warm poultices are probably the most successful means of 

 hasteiiing their development and the formation of pus. With 

 some animals the application of poultices is a difficult matter ; 

 in such cases similar results will be obtained if a piece of fresh 

 sheep, hare, or rabbit skin is placed with the raw surface to 

 the swelling, and kept there for a few days, taking care during 

 that time to remove it regularly, and keep the parts sweet and 

 clean, either by washing or changing the membrane. Should the 

 enlargement or tumour in the submaxillary space or elsewhere 

 in this region fail to progress satisfactorily, seeming to remain 

 stationary, good will result from the application of a little 

 blister, or daily friction with common iodine ointment. Such 

 treatment will generally confer fresh activity upon the local 

 action, tending to development of the abscess ; or it may, as 

 sometimes observed, produce the opposite effects, and tend to 

 induce absorption of the exudate. 



When the abscess is fully matured, it will, either by soften- 

 ing and rupture of cutaneous tissues, discharge itself, or, if 

 thought preferable, it may be opened. 



It is certainly good in every case to allow the abscess to be 

 fully matured ere it is opened. Some object strongly to open 

 these in any case, advising that all be allowed to rupture 

 Avithout interference. The objection to this in every case is, 

 that very many if left to themselves would rupture by such 

 an extensive outlet as to cause unnecessary sloughing of 

 skin and other tissue, and thus in healing leave an objection- 

 ably large cicatrix. 



Again, on the other hand, there is no doubt that when 

 opened too early, there is a disposition to re-form. 



The abscess having discharged itself, nothing requu-es to 

 be done save bathing with tepid or warm carbolized water as 



