SYMPTOMS 63 



acnestis. These two extremes are, however, 

 rare ones. Most of the apertures are found on 

 or about the level of the withers and base of the 

 neck. Ventrally pus sometimes burrows sub- 

 cutaneously over the lateral face of the scapula 

 and points at the level of the shoulder joint 

 and more commonly a few inches above that 

 level. The amount of pus discharged varies 

 with the size of the cavity. After lancing, 

 after the first spontaneous bursting or after a 

 secondary abscess has been evacuated arti- 

 ficially or otherwise, the discharge is sometimes 

 very copious, overrunning the sides of the body 

 as far down as the foot and by dessicating en- 

 crusts itself thickly over the whole shoulder 

 region and forearm. The discharge finally 

 moderates and may even cease entirely pend- 

 ing the formation of a new abscess and new 

 aperture often on the opposite side or at some 

 remote location on the same side, causing the 

 same loathsome condition all over again. 



In the meantime the patient loses flesh and 

 is unthrifty in general appearance. The coat 

 is dull and uncouth, the ribs and skeletal angles 

 become visible, and the reduced vitality be- 

 comes more apparent. It is only the patient 

 that is well groomed, well fed and well attended 

 as to its infirmity that remains in good con- 

 dition. The neglected subject sinks rapidly 



