476 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



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 

 seen near the point of the shoulder, forming the so-called breast boil. 

 The swelling is diffuse and of enormous extent, but slightly hotter 

 than surrounding parts, and not very painful upon pressure. There 

 is a pronounced stiffness, rather than pain, evinced upon moving the 

 animal. Such abscesses have the appearance of a hard tumor, sur- 

 rounded by a softer edematous swelling, involving the tissues to the 

 extent of a foot or more in all directions from the tumor. This dif- 

 fused swelling gradually subsides and leaves the large, hardened mass 

 somewhat Avell defined. One of the characteristics of cold abscesses 

 is their tendency to remain in the same condition for a great length 

 of time. There is neither heat nor soreness ; no increase nor lessening 

 in the size of the tumor ; it remains statu quo. If, however, the ani- 

 mal should be put to work for a short time the irritation of the collar 

 causes the surrounding tissues to again assume an edematous condi- 

 tion, which after a few days' rest disappears, leaving the tumor as 

 before or but slightly larger. Upon careful manipulation we may 

 discover what appears to be a fluid deep seated in the center of the 

 mass. The quantity of matter so contained is very small — often not 

 more than a tablespoonful — and for this reason it can not, in all 

 cases, be detected. 



Cold abscesses are mostly, if not always, caused by the long-con- 

 tinued irritation of a loose and badly fitting collar. There is a slow 

 inflammatory action going on, which results in the formation of a 

 small quantity of matter inclosed in very thick and but partially 

 organized walls, that are not as well defined as is the circumference 

 of fibrous tumors, which they most resemble. 



Treatment. — The means recommended to bring the acute abscess 

 *' to a head " are but rarely effectual with this variety ; or, if successful, 

 too much time has been occupied in the cure. We must look for other 

 and more rapid methods of treatment. These consist, first of all, in 

 carefully exploring the tumor for the presence of pus. The incisions 

 must be made over the softest part and carried deep into the tumor 

 (to its very bottom if necessary), and the matter allowed to escape. 

 After this, and whether we have found matter or not, we must induce 

 an active inflammation of the tumor in order to promote solution of 

 the thick walls of the abscess. This may be done by inserting well 

 into the incision a piece of oakum or cotton saturated with turpentine, 

 carbolic acid, tincture of iodine, etc., or we may pack the incision with 

 powdered sulphate of zinc and keep the orifice plugged for twenty- 

 four hours. These agents set up a destructive inflammation of the 

 walls. Suppuration follows, and this should now be encouraged by 



