ACCIDENTS 



collection of matter — pus — which is either enclosed in a sac 

 or else spreads over the affected part until it escapes through 

 the skin, or finds its progress stopped, in which latter case 

 trouble is certain to result. 



Symptoms. — Swelling, associated with heat, and a good 

 deal of tenderness, which gradually subsides as the abscess 

 becomes softer owing to the formation of pus. 



Treatment. — In its earlier stages an abscess may be 

 checked by blistering with biniodide of mercury, or by a 

 dressing of oil of turpentine, but when once pus has formed 

 there is nothing to be done but to wait until it ripens, and 

 after it becomes soft, to open it with a lancet, or else to adopt 

 measures such as poultices which shall assist it to burst 

 and discharge its contents. If the abscess can be reached, 

 it may be gently squeezed after being opened, and warm 

 water may be syringed into it twice a day for a couple of 

 days so that it is properly cleansed. Fomentations and 

 poultices may be applied to abscesses, if they are in an 

 accessible position, during their earlier stages in order to 

 reduce the pain of the horse, and to hasten the secretion of 

 pus. (See Fomentations^ Poultices.) 



Accidents, although commonly held to be responsible 

 for many equine evils, are quite as often as not entirely free 

 from any such reproach, as the occurrences for which they 

 are blamed are usually avoidable if ordinary precautions have 

 been taken. Many horses come down every day through 

 bad or careless driving, and scores of others are injured by 

 projecting nails and other obstacles of the kind in the stable 

 which had no business to be there. There are, of course, 

 occurrences which are beyond the control of any groom or 

 coachman, such as a horse receiving injuries whilst out at 

 grass, getting cast in his box, being run into in the streets, 

 or falling on a greasy road. The injuries succeeding such 

 occurrences may be regarded as accidents, and will be found 

 referred to under separate headings. (See Bleedings Bruises^ 

 Cuts, Sprains.) 



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