CHAPTER II 



ABSCESSES 



Cause: Bruises and injuries. They are also seen in 

 complication with, various other diseases, as Laryngitis, 

 Pharyngitis, Tuberculosis, Lump Jaw, Blood Poison or 

 Pyemia and Septicemia. 



Symptoms : Symptoms will vary according to the na- 

 ture of the disease or injury. It may not be noticed at 

 first, but upon careful examination swollen lines will be 

 observed running from the point of swelling. In many 

 cases a swelling is noticed which is hot, painful and 

 throbbing, which enlarges rapidly in two or three days. 

 The swelling and heat gradually disappear but the 

 Abscess continues to grow. The hair falls from the 

 point of swelling and in. a short time breaks and dis- 

 charges pus. The cavity gradually fills up and heals 

 by granulation. 



Tkeatment : In all cases, hasten the ripening process 

 •as much as possible by applying hot water packs or hot 

 bran, flaxseed or vegetable poultices. It is common %vith 

 Veterinarians to lance an Abscess as soon as possible, 

 but this requires considerable skill and practice and I 

 would advise stock owners to be very cautious when 

 performing this operation, as there is great danger of 

 cutting arteries which would cause excessive bleeding. 

 A very good plan is to encourage the full ripening of 

 an Abscess, as above stated. When opened, do not 

 squeeze the Abscess to any extent, but press gently with 

 clean hands or cloth to remove the core or clot. After 

 this, just simply keep the Abscess open by washing with 

 a three per cent Carbolic Acid solution, or Bichloride of 

 Mercury, one in one thousand solution. Hyposulphite 

 of Soda in ounce doses should be given two or three 



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