188 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



formation of pus should be hastened as rapidly as possible. Hot fo- 

 mentations 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, the healing which follows will be 

 rapid and satisfactory. 



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

 necessity of probing the cavity when opened. If upon a careful ex- 

 amination with the probe we find that there are no pockets, but a 

 simple, regular abscess wall, the indications for treatment is to make 

 an opening from below so that the matter must all 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 a nonirri- 

 tant. 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 membranes, 

 there is considerable danger that the internal ligaments or even some 

 of the bones have become affected, in which case the condition 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 application of caustics 

 which will cause a sloughing of all of the unhealthy tissue, and will 

 also stimulate a rapid increase of healthy organized material to re- 

 place that destroyed in the course of the development and treatment 

 of the disease. Threads or cords soaked in gum arabic solution and 

 rolled in powdered corrosive sublimate may be introduced into the 

 canal and allowed to remain. The skin on all parts of the shoulder 

 and leg beneath the fistula should be carefully greased with lard or 

 oil, as this will prevent the discharge that comes from the opening 

 after the caustic is introduced from irritating or blistering the skin 

 over which it flows. In obstinate cases a piece of caustic potash 

 (fused) 1 to 2 inches in length may be introduced into the opening 

 and should be covered with oakum or cotton. The horse should then 

 be secured so that he can not reach the part with his teeth. After the 

 caustic plug has been in place for twenty-four hours, it may be re- 

 moved and hot fomentations applied. As soon as the discharge has 

 become again established the abscess should be opened from its lowest 

 extremity, and the passage thus formed may be kept open by the in- 

 troduction of a seton. If the pipes become established in the deep 

 tissues beneath the shoulder blade or among the spines of the ver- 

 tebral column, it will often be found impossible to provide proper 

 drainage for the abscess from below, and treatment must consist of 

 caustic solutions carefully injected into all parts of the suppurating 

 sinuses. A very effective remedy for this purpose consists of 1 ounce 

 of chloride of zinc in half a pint of water, injected three times during 



