c6 Veterinary Medicine. 



The resulting abscess is usuall_v in or near a gland or group of 

 lymph glands. The part passes through the usual succession of 

 changes, of soft pitting swelling; firm, tense, painful condition 

 in which the exuded lymph has coagulated ; and softening and 

 fluctuation which progresses from the centre toward the circum- 

 ference. The abscess points variously according to its seat. If 

 in the intermaxillary space it opensexternally. If sub-parotidean 

 or peripharyngeal it may burst inwardly into the pharynx or 

 outwardly through the skin. If supra-pharyngeal ( retro-pharyn- 

 geal), it may be .so thickly encapsulated in unyielding walls that 

 it ma}'^ remain long indolent and inactive becoming a cold or 

 chronic abscess. When an abscess opens into the pharynx, there 

 is a sudden and copious flow of pus by the nose, and it may be 

 by the mouth and a simultaneous subsidence of the inflammation. 



Among the complications of the affection are asphyxia, oedema 

 glottidis ; abscess of the guttural pouch ; rupture of an abscess 

 into the larynx, and the descent of pus into the lungs ; the en- 

 trance of saliva and alimentary matters into the lungs ; gan- 

 grenous pneumonia ; pharyngeal fistula ; pressure on the vagus 

 and paraly.sis of the pharynx or larynx ; .secondar}- abscesses ; 

 septicsemia. 



Lesions. Besides the general inflammatory lesions some rather 

 remarkable ones have been observed. Fractured hyoid, dissec- 

 tion of the mucous from the muscular coat, by aliments, for 

 nearly the whole length of the oesophagus (Bruckmiiller), puru- 

 lent infiltration of the supra-pharyngeal muscles (Wakefield), 

 ulceration of the pharyngeal or guttural sac mucosa, or even 

 gangrene, purulent effusion in the tonsils, around the hypoglo.ssal 

 nerve, the lingual branch of the fifth, or the vagus, embolic 

 inflammations, suppurations or gangrene of the bronchia, and 

 implication of the lung tissue and pleura. Catarrhal enteritis 

 and fatty liver and kidney are common. 



Treatment. Beside the general measures advised for catarrhal 

 pharyngitis, this type demands especially measures to moderate 

 the intensity of the suffering, and when abscess appears inevitable 

 to hasten its maturation. The first demand is met by hot fomenta- 

 tions persistently applied to the throat. This may be done by 

 spongio-piline, or simply by well washed wool or cotton bound 

 upon the throat and wet at frequent intervals with water rather 



