766 DISEASES OF THE WITHERS. 



(,c) Hematoma, or Bloody Tumor. — This lesion is produced 

 by a violent traumatism, such as a blow, a contusion, or a violent 

 bite by some other animal. It develops immediately upon the oc- 

 currence of the cause, resulting from the laceration of the super- 

 ficial blood vessels. ' It is characterized by a swelling, vai-ying in 

 size according to the nature of the producing cause. It is at first 

 somewhat warm and fluctuating, then becoming puffy, and when 

 the blood has coagulated, hard, tense and crepitating. Ordinarily 

 it is not very warm or painful, but it becomes so after a few hours, 

 and then there is danger of its assuming a supiDiu-ative character. 

 Yet in other cases it may maintain that condition for two or three 

 weeks, undergoing the process of resolution, the resorption usually 

 becoming complete in that period. The correct diagnosis of this 

 condition, and of any occurrent changes, some of which it is im- 

 portant to know, can be more satisfactorily established by explor- 

 ation. 



Left without interference and in the absence of irritating causes, 

 the hematoma w^ill usually subside by spontaneous action. In their 

 treatment, cold applications are indicated during the first days of 

 its existence, but at a later period, when the tumefaction has be- 

 come of a denser consistency, absorbent and stimulating local 

 medication is indicated, such as blisters of cantharides, or of mer- 

 curial preparations, or of the iodine compounds. These applica- 

 tions, however, must not be too hastily resorted to, lest the exces- 

 sive or premature stimulation should end in the formation of 

 abscesses. Except when there is positive evidence of supj)uration, 

 pressure by bandaging and the opening of the tumor with the 

 bistoury are always contra-indicated. 



{d) Gore, or Stickfast. — This is caused by the immediate 

 mortification of a portion of the skin, and often of the deej^er 

 tissues. It is a hairless scab of a blackish color, having the ap- 

 pearance of tanned leather. It is at times superficial, and has a 

 tendency to extend to the subjacent structures. It is rigid and 

 inflexible, and its j)ressure upon the deeper tissues tends to in- 

 crease mortification. The tissues surrounding it are inflamed and 

 their sensibility increased, and at a later period a j^rocess of elim- 

 ination by suppuration takes place all around its edges. But this 

 pus does not very readily escape, and there is always a j^ortion 

 remaining in the bottom of the sloughing surface which becomes 

 fistulated with the formation of collections. If the core should 



