498 BRUISES PRODUCED BY THE COLLAR. 



In bruises of the withers, inflammatory disease of the bursa mucosa 

 lying on the superior spinous processes of the 5th to 7th cervical 

 vertebra?, may occur. In such cases a flat fluctuating swelling appears 

 on the withers close to the middle line, sometimes on one. sometimes 

 on both sides ; often attains the size of a small cheese-plate, and 

 is attended by moderately developed symptoms of inflammation. 

 The condition consists of bursitis with more or less extravasation 

 into the bursa, and may be easily mistaken for an abscess. Its slow 

 progress distinguishes it from hematoma, which usually develops 

 rapidly. It is easier, but more dangerous, to regard it as an abscess, 

 because incision always leads to infection with pus formation, which 

 it is desirable to avoid. Should difficulty occur in diagnosis, an 

 exploratory puncture may be made under antiseptic precautions. 

 After carefully disinfecting the skin, a sterilised needle or an ex- 

 ploratory trocar may be used. Should serum or blood alone be 

 discharged, it is clear that the case is one of bursitis or hsematoma. 

 After removing the contents, compresses should be applied to keep 

 up moderate pressure on the part, and prevent recurrence of the 

 exudation ; while to avoid infection, disinfectants are used in the 

 dressings. Where these cannot be applied, infliction with sublimate 

 ointment (1 to 18) may be adopted. 



Excoriations of the skin must be carefully cleansed, and the 

 surface powdered with iodoform conjoined with tannin or starch 

 flour, or smeared with a neutral fat or ointment. The latter should 

 be applied when swelling attends the excoriation, and after applying 

 the fat or ointment, either cold or Preisnitz's poultices may be used. 

 When such places have healed, the skin should be frequently douched 

 with alcohol, which hardens the skin, and the collar must be pro- 

 vided with a soft covering or a small piece of waxed cloth, in order 

 to prevent further injury. The active movements of the muscles 

 of the skin sometimes prevent the healing of surface injuries. This 

 occurs especially in summer, when flies abound. In such cases the 

 application of weak blistering ointment in the neighbourhood of 

 the affected spot is of excellent service. 



(2.) BRUISES PRODUCED BY THE COLLAR OR 

 OTHER PORTIONS OF THE HARNESS. 



The horse collar consists of the housing, the two limbs," usually 

 formed of iron, the padding, and the upper and lower open groove. 

 The collar must lie parallel with the scapula without touching it. 

 which it is apt to do if too wide, producing excoriation of the skin 



