294 DADD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY 



ehould be given night and morning. This may be dissolved in; 

 Half a bucket of water, which the horse will drink. In the course 

 of a couple of days, the practitioner will be able to determine 

 whether or not the tumor is likely to suppurate; if so, it will 

 have increased in size, and have a soft fluctuating feel. 



Just as soon as matter can be detected, the abscess must be 

 punctured at its base, by means of a thumb lancet. It will not 

 do to allow the matter to accumulate ; for, if so, it will burrow 

 and spread in various directions, making a very extensive and for- 

 midable abscess. It would be necessary to make a free opening 

 into the abscess large enough to admit a man's finger, and if, in 

 the course of a day or two, the opening should partly close or con- 

 tract, it must be dilated with a knife. So soon as the abscess is 

 laid open, all the matter must be squeezed out, which process must 

 be accomplished by the use of sponge and hot water. We then, 

 in view of removing every particle of matter, carefully inject the 

 cavity with a quantity of pyroligneous acid and water, equal parts. 

 A glass syringe is best, as the acid has a bad effect on a metal one. 



It will be necessary to sponge the cavity once daily for several 

 days, or until matter ceases to form. In the mean time the ani- 

 mal must be put under treatment, for it is very rare that this dis- 

 ease can be cured by local treatment alone. My usual custom is 

 to give the patient thirty grains of the iodide of potass, twice 

 daily, in half a bucket of water. The animal will not refuse to 

 drink it. Should he be weak and emaciated, tonics and stimu- 

 lants are indicated. Half an ounce of powdered golden seal and 

 the same quantity of ginger, given with a small quantity of water, 

 lis a drench, daily, will answer the purpose. Sometimes it is ad- 

 visable to put a pad of cotton cloth, or a large wad of oakum on 

 the poll, in view of keeping the skin and sub-tissues in contact, by 

 which means they more readily unite. The pad may be secured 

 to the part by passing a cotton roller, five inches wide and three 

 yards in length, around the neck. At the poll the bandage is to 

 be further secured, by tying a lock of the hair of the forehead with 

 a lock of the hair of the mane. This precaution prevents the 

 bandage from slipping backward. The bandage should be re- 

 moved and readjusted every day, and the parts are to be cleansed 

 and syringed, in the manner just alluded to, as long as necessary. 

 After the lapse of a few days, should the secretion of matter de- 

 crease, then the chances are in favor of a cure. 



