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CHAPTER XIV. 



ON AUSCESSES, DISLOCATIONS, FRACTURES, WOUNDS, SPRAINS, BRUISES, ETC. 



ABSCESSES may be defined as matter or pus generated and collected in any of the glands 

 or tissues of the body. They are met with in all regions of the body, and are sometimes 

 small and sometimes very large. They are usually very painful, and in some situations may 

 be highly dangerous, from the effects of their pressure on important parts. 



The causes of abscess are numerous : the presence of some foreign body, as a thorn, may 

 give rise to it, or the deposit of unhealthy matter from constitutional reasons. In dogs blows 

 very frequently give rise to large abscesses. 



The commonest kind of abscess is the acute or phlegmonous : there is swelling, a glazed 



and glittering appearance of the skin, which is considerably reddened, and there is great pain 



and tenderness, accompanied with heat, and the dog is more or less fevered. If let alone the 



abscess usually goes on to suppuration, fluctuation is felt, pointing occurs, and finally it bursts. 



Mammary abscess is common in the teats of a bitch, frequently occurring when there is milk in 



them that is not removed, as about the time she would have had pups had she been in whelp. 



Treatment. We first endeavour to prevent matter forming ; if unable to do so, we take 



the earliest opportunity of evacuating the pus when formed, and afterwards heal up the wound. 



The antiphlogistic treatment consists in the application of leeches and cold lotions, such 



as the following 



Jt> Ammonias hydrochlor. ... ... 5 iij. 



Spirit, rectific. pur. ... ... 5 vj. 



Acid, acetic, dil. ... ... ;= j. 



Aquae ... ... ad 3 v. 



F- lotio. M. 



and discutient applications, such as the tincture of iodine for chronic abscess. In order to 

 promote the absorption of matter in a chronic abscess you may also use some mercurial 

 ointment in the form of plaster ; nothing is better than the blue-ointment of the shops. 



When matter is formed, and the fluctuation is distinct while the pain continues, the 

 abscess must be opened. For this purpose a bistoury or lancet may be used. The incision 

 must be pretty free, and to prevent bagging of matter afterwards it must be made on the 

 most depending part. The incision ought to be made parallel to the course of the vessels, 

 and the matter allowed to drain out ; much squeezing is bad. If there be much bleeding 

 cold should be applied. 



A poultice or water-dressing is next to be applied, and probably a bit of lint may have 

 to be stuffed into the wound to secure healing from below. If there be the slightest tendency 

 to bagging of matter, a counter opening must be made to secure free draining. It will be 

 necessary to give the dog a dose or two of opening medicine at first, and if the discharge is 

 very great to keep up his strength well, and afterwards to use a quinine tonic. 



