DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 475 



former. The abscesses most commonly met with in the horse (and 

 the ones which will be here described) are those of the salivary glands, 

 occurring- during the existence of "strangles," or "colt distemper." 

 The glands behind or under the jaw are seen to slowly increase in 

 size, becoming firm, hard, hot, and painful. At first the swelling is 

 uniformly hard and resisting over its entire surface, but in a little 

 while becomes soft — fluctuating— at some portion, mostly in the center. 

 From this time on the abscess is said to be "pointing," or "coming 

 to a head," which is shown by a small elevated or projecting promi- 

 nence, which at first is dry, but soon becomes moist with transuded 

 serum. The hairs over this part loosen and fall off, and in a short 

 time the abscess opens, the contents escape, and the cavity graduall}^ 

 fills up — heals by granulations. 



Abscesses in muscular tissue are usually the result of bruises or 

 injuries. In all cases where abscesses are forming we should hurry 

 the ripening process b}^ frequent hot fomentations and poultices. 

 When they are ver}^ tardy in their development a blister over their 

 surface is advisable. It is a common rule Avith surgeons to open an 

 abscess as soon as pus can be plainly felt, but this practice can 

 scarcely be recommended to owners of stock indiscriminatel3% since 

 this little operation frequently requires an exact knowledge of anat- 

 om3% It will usually be found the better plan to encourage the full 

 ripening of an abscess and allow it to open of itself. This is impera- 

 tive if the abscess is in the region of joints, etc. When open, we 

 must not squeeze the walls of the abscess to any extent. They may 

 be very gently pressed with the fingers at first to remove the clots — 

 inspissated pus — but after this the orifice iy simply to be kept open 

 by the introduction of a clean probe, should it be disposed to heal too 

 soon. If the opening is at too high a level another should be made 

 into the lowest portion of the abscess so as to permit the most com- 

 plete drainage. Hot fomentations or poultices are sometimes required 

 for a day or two after an abscess has opened, and are particularly 

 indicated when the base of the abscess is hard and indurated. 



The cavit}^ should be thoroughlj- washed with stimulating antiseptic 

 solutions, such as 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid, 3 to 5 per cent 

 solution of creolin, 1 to 1,000 bichloride of mercury, or 1 per cent 

 permanganate of potash solution. If the abscesses are foul and bad 

 smelling, their cavities should first be syringed with 1 part of hydro- 

 gen peroxide to 2 parts of water and then followed by the injection of 

 any of the above-mentioned antiseptics. 



COLD ABSCESSES. 



Cold abscess is the term applied to those large, indolent swellings 

 that are the result of a low, or chronic, form of inflammation, in the 

 center of which there is a small collection of pus. They are often 



