504 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



sues may disappear, leaving a prominent tumor. The srvelling, 

 ■whether situated upon the head or the withers, may open and form a 

 running ulcer, or its contents maj" dry up and leave a tumor which 

 gradually develops the common characteristics of a fibrous tumor. 

 AVhen the enlargement has opened we should carefully examine its 

 cavity, as upon its condition will wholly depend our treatment. 



Treatment. — In the earliest stage, when there is soreness, enlarged 

 lymphatics, but no well-marked swelling, the trouble may frequently 

 be aborted. To do this requires both general and local treatment. 

 A physic should be given, and the horse receive 1 ounce of powdered 

 saltpeter three times a day in his water or feed. If the fever runs 

 high, 20-drop doses of tincture of aconite root every two hours may 

 be administered. The local application of cold water to the inflamed 

 spot for an hour at a time three or four times a day has often proved 

 very beneficial, and has afforded great relief. 



Cooling lotions, muriate of ammonia, or saltj^seter and water; seda- 

 tive washes, such as tincture of opium and aconite, chloroform lini- 

 ment, or camphorated oil, are also to be frequently applied. Should 

 this treatment fail to check the progress of the trouble, the formation 

 of pus should be hastened as rapidly as possible. Hot fomentations 

 and poultices are to be constantly used, and as soon as the presence of 

 pus can be detected, the abscess wall is to be opened at its lowest point. 

 In this procedure lies our hope of a speedy cure. As with any simple 

 abscess, if drainage can be so provided that the pus will run off as 

 fast as formed without remaining within the interstices of the tissues, 

 the healing w'ill be rapid and satisfactory. 



Attention is again called to the directions given above as to the 

 necessity of probing the cavit}^ when opened. If upon a careful ex- 

 amination with the probe we find that there are no pockets, no si- 

 nuses, but a simple, regidar abscess wall, the indication for treatment 

 is to make an opening from below so that all the matter must escape. 

 Rarely is anything more needed than to keep the orifice open and to 

 bathe or inject the parts with some simple antiseptic wash that is not 

 irritant or caustic. A low opening and cleanliness constitute the 

 essential and rational treatment. 



If the abscess has already opened, giving vent to a quantity of 

 purulent matter, and the pipes and tubes leading from the opening 

 are found to be extensive and surrounded with thick fungoid mem- 

 branes, there is considerable danger that the internal ligaments or 

 even some of the bones have become affected, in which case the con- 

 dition has assumed a serious aspect. Or, on the other hand, if the 

 abscess has existed for some time without a rupture, its contents will 

 frequently be found to consist of dried purulent matter, firm and 

 dense, and the walls surrounding the mass will be found greatly 

 thickened. In such a case we must generally have recourse to the 



