DISEASES OF HORSES. 723 



Sometimes, in such a case, there appears an unnatural growth 

 which must be removed, either with a knife, a hot iron, or with 

 caustics. If caustics are preferred, take a stick of nitrate of 

 silver, and rub it thoroughly over the growth, or dust the 

 growth with powdered blue vitriol, or pure carbolic acid. Apply 

 any of these once or twice a day, until the growth is subdued. 

 Then use 



Carbolic Acid, pure, ...... 3 drams. 



Water, 1 pint 



Bathe with this three or four times a day. 



The above treatment applies to gravel in the feet also. 



Bruises. SYMPTOMS. Heat, pain, and swelling in the parts. 



TREATMENT. Just the same as for abscesses; first prevent 

 the formation of matter in the part, and, failing in this, hasten 

 its formation, open and let it out. (See Abscesses.) 



Abscesses. An abscess is a gathering or boil. It may 

 come from some recognizable cause, or seemingly without a cause. 

 As a rule, an abscess is easily detected, but in some cases when 

 near a joint, it is difficult to say whether it is an abscess, a 

 puff, or bursal enlargement. 



SYMPTOMS. There will be heat, pain, and swelling, with a 

 throbbing or beating in the part. After awhile the hitherto 

 hard, unyielding tumor becomes soft near the center, the hair 

 falls off and leaves a bare spot ; and by placing the fingers of one 

 hand on the lowest part of this soft portion, and tapping above 

 them with the fingers of the other hand, a sensation is commu- 

 nicated to the fingers like that from so tapping a bladder filled 

 with a fluid. An aneurism (which is a tumor caused by the 

 walls of an artery becoming enlarged or ruptured), has been 

 mistaken for an abscess. When any doubt exists, it is best to 

 use an aspirator needle (which is a small tube made sharp so as 

 to cut through the flesh). Introduce this needle, and if pus 

 is drawn out, it is surely an abscess and should be freely opened. 



TREATMENT. If you think an abscess is about to form, 

 remove any splinters or other causes, and apply cold water to 

 the part to prevent if possible the formation of matter. But if 

 you fail in preventing its formation, use just the opposite treat- 



