DISEASES OF HORSES 185 



abscess has opened, and are particularly indicated when the base of 

 the abscess is hard and indurated. 



The cavity should be thoroughly washed with stimulating anti- 

 septic solutions, such as 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid, 3 to 5 

 per cent solution of creolin, 1 to 1,000 bichloride of mercury, or 1 

 per cent permanganate of potash solution. If the abscesses are foul 

 and bad smelling, their cavities should first be syringed with 1 part 

 of hydrogen peroxide to 2 parts of water and then followed by the 

 injection of any of the above-mentioned antiseptics. 



COLD ABSCESSES. 



Cold abscess is the term applied to those large, indolent swellings 

 that are the result of a low, or chronic, form of inflammation, in the 

 center of which there is a small collection of pus. They are often 

 seen near the point of the shoulder, forming the so-called breast boil. 

 The swelling is diffuse and of enormous extent, but slightly hotter 

 than surrounding parts, and not very painful upon pressure. There 

 is a pronounced stiffness, rather than pain, evinced upon moving the 

 animal. Such abscesses have the appearance of a hard tumor, sur- 

 rounded by a softer edematous swelling, involving the tissues to the 

 extent of a foot or more in all directions from the tumor. This dif- 

 fused swelling gradually subsides and leaves the large, hardened mass 

 somewhat well defined. One of the characteristics of cold abscesses 

 is their tendency to remain in the same condition for a great length 

 of time. There is neither heat nor soreness ; no increase nor lessen- 

 ing in the size of the tumor. If, however, the animal should be 

 put to work for a short time the irritation of the collar causes the 

 surrounding tissues to again assume an edematous condition, which 

 after a few days' rest disappears, leaving the tumor as before or but 

 slightly larger. Upon careful manipulation we may discover what 

 appears to be a fluid deep seated in the center of the mass. The 

 quantity of matter so contained is very smalloften not more than a 

 tablespoonful and for this reason it can not, in all cases, be detected. 



Cold abscesses are mostly, if not always, caused by the long-con- 

 tinued irritation of a loose and badly fitting collar. There is a slow 

 inflammatory action going on, which results in the formation of a 

 small quantity of matter inclosed in very thick and but partially 

 organized walls, that are not as well defined as is the circumference 

 of fibrous tumors, which they most resemble. 



Treatment. The means recommended to bring the acute abscess 

 to a head are but rarely effectual with this variety; or, if successful, 

 too much time has been occupied in the cure. We must look for 

 other and more rapid methods of treatment. These consist, first of 

 all, in carefully exploring the tumor for the presence of pus. The 

 incisions must be made over the softest part and carried deep into the 

 tumor (to its very bottom if necessary), and the matter allowed to 

 escape. After this, and whether we have found matter or not, we 

 must induce an active inflammation of the tumor in order to promote 

 solution of the thick walls of the abscess. This may be done by in- 

 serting well into the incision a piece of oakum or cotton saturated 

 with turpentine, carbolic acid, tincture of iodine, etc., or we may 



