104 THE FARMER S VETERINARIAN 



soft, less sensitive, and fluctuates, wrhich shows that 

 it is coming to a head, or that the pus is collecting. 

 If the skin is white it will show a yellow color in the 

 center, which is usually raised above the surface, 

 and the hair falls out. This soon breaks and dis- 

 charges pus. 



It is advisable to hasten the ripening of the 

 abscess by hot applications in form of poultices, 

 or a large pack of cotton saturated with hot bi- 

 chloride of mercury i part to i,ooo parts of water, 

 or use some one of the coal tar dips i part to 50 

 parts of water. The application of a light blister 

 will often hasten ripening. When the pus has col- 

 lected or the abscess has come to a head, it should 

 be opened at the lowest part in order to give free 

 drainage to the pus contained within. 



Great care should be used in opening abscesses — 

 not to cut blood vessels which might be in tTie 

 vicinity. In case the abscess breaks of its own 

 accord, it is often necessary to enlarge the opening, 

 in order to give free drainage for the pus. If the 

 abscess is large or deep-seated it should be washed 

 out each day with bichloride of mercury i part to 

 water 1,000 parts, or with a 2 per cent solution of 

 some one of the coal tar dips. After it is opened do 

 not apply bandages, as they prevent the free escape 

 of pus. Do not allow the opening to close until it 

 heals from the bottom ; or, in other words, as long 

 as it secretes pus, for there is danger of its breaking 

 out again. If the opening is too high up, or not 

 large enough, it may result in a running sore or 

 fistula. 



ACTINOMYCOSIS.— Called lumpy jaw, because 

 of the frequency of the swelling located on the jaw. 

 It is due to the entrance of a specific organism, ^ 



