POST-PHARYNGEAL ABSCESS. 529 



gusli of pus will immediately escape into the mouth. I own 

 there is some difficulty in the operation, but if nothing be done, 

 the animal's life is sure to be sacrificed. 



The operation maybe performed through the guttural pouches, 

 or the puncture might be made through the nostril, but I think 

 the best way is that through the mouth. 



COLLECTIONS OF PUS IX THE GUTTURAL POUCHES 



Differ from post-pharyngeal abscess by the presence of more 

 or less external swelling; a bulging outwards of the parotid 

 glands ; and by an intermitting discharge from the nostrils of 

 thick creamy, perhaps slightly curdled pus. The difficulty in 

 swallowing, although at first perhaps very great, is not persis- 

 tent, disappearing upon the cessation of the pharyngeal inflam- 

 mation. 



The diagnostic signs of pus in the guttural pouches are, 

 first, a discharge from either one or both nostrils when the head 

 is depressed, or an occasional nasal discharge, as from an over- 

 flow through the openings of the eustachian tubes ; a swelling 

 more or less extensive, without hardness, on the side affected, 

 with a flow of pus from the nostril when the swelling is pressed 

 upon. 



The Treatment. — Cut through the skin immediately behind 

 the posterior border of the parotid gland, above the carotids and 

 jugulars, the incision is to be at least two inches long ; after dis- 

 secting carefully through the thin superficial layer of muscular 

 tissue, and exposing the edge of the gland, the finger is to be 

 introduced into the very loose areolar tissue situated beneath it, 

 and pushed until the wall of the guttural pouch, or envelop- 

 ing capsule of the pus is felt ; an effort is now to be made 

 for the purpose of overcoming it by the pressure of the finger. 

 Sometimes it will give way, but if not, a canula is to be intro- 

 duced into the space made by the finger, through which the 

 sac is to be punctured by the stillet, and the whole cavity 

 washed out with warm water, forced in by the elastic syphon. 

 The wound must afterwards be kept open by plugs of tow, 

 and the parts thoroughly washed daily with water containing 

 carbolic acid or some astringent, using the syphon in order to do 

 it effectually. 



2m 



