359 



ab.seess is in i^rocess of formation, by tJie active secretion of pus. 

 If the formation of a tumor lias followed this treatment, or if it has 

 develoijcd. from its inception, it becomes an immediate necessity to 

 empty it, and the mode of accomplishing this will vary with different 

 cases. In one it should be done by a careful incision, which will allow 

 the escape of the blood or the serum, or of the pus which is inclosed in 

 the sac; in another it may be by means of a seton, in order that the 

 discharge may be maintained and allowed to escape; and for another 

 the more cautious mode may be adopted of emptying the cavity by 

 means of i)unctures with small trochars or aspirators. The danger 

 attending this last method arises from the possible sloughing of large 

 jjortions of the skin, while that attending the first is the hazard of the 

 possibility of the extension of the inflammation to the capsular liga- 

 ment of tlie knee, with the risk of an open joint in i^rospect. 



As we have remarked, the cavitj', after being emptied, may rapidly 

 close and leave in a short time but slight traces of its previous exist- 

 ence. But in man}', if not in a majority, of cases there will remain 

 after the cicatrization is complete a thickening or organized exudation, 

 at one time round and vrell defined, at another spreading by a diffused 

 infiltration, to Avhich it will be necessary to give immediate attention, 

 from the fact of its tendency to form into an organized and permanent 

 bod}'. To stimulate inflammation in this diseased structure blisters 

 are recommended, but chiefly for the purpose of promoting the process 

 of absorption. If this treatment should fail, the use of alteratives 

 proper is recommended, mercury and its compounds and iodine prepa- 

 rations probabh' receiving a majority of suffrages. Plain mercurial 

 or plain iodine ointment, or both in combination as iodide of mei'cury, 

 are commonly used, and may either be applied moderately and by 

 gentle degrees, as we have suggested, or more freely and vigorously 

 with a view to more immediate effects, which, however, will also be 

 more superficial. The use of the firing iron applied deeply with fine 

 points is then to be strongl}^ recommended, to be followed by blisters 

 and various liniments. This course may generally be relied on as 

 quite sure to be followed bj^ satisfactory results. 



While the treatment is in i^rogress it will of course be necessary to 

 secure the animal in such a manner .that a recurrence of the injury 

 will be impossible from similar causes to those which were previously 

 responsible. 



Capped lioclv. — A bad habit prevails among some horses of rubbing 

 or striking the partitions of their stalls with their hocks, with the 

 result of an injury which shows itself on the upper point of that bone, 

 the summit of the os calcis. From its analog}^ to the condition of 

 capped elbow the designation of caiii:>ed hock has been applied to this 

 condition. 



A capped hock is therefore but the development of a bruise at the 

 point of the hock, which if many times repeated may excite an inflam- 

 matory process, with all its usual external symptoms of swelling, heat, 



