382 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



apply a blister over it, and when the effects have somewhat 

 abated, support the pendent parts by means of banda^^es. 



Serous Abscess. — As a termination of inflammation, and, 

 in the form of Strangles and Poll-evil, purulent abscess is 

 considered. There is a second kind called serous abscess. 



The ordinary situations for these swellings are upon the 

 outer side of the quarter or thigh, in front of the stifle, and 

 upon the breast, the shoulder, and the arm. They are 

 occasionally of considerable volume. They are usually egg- 

 shaped, flattened upon the surface, and have a soft, elastic, 

 fluctuating feel. When punctured, tbey emit, with con- 

 siderable force, a limpid, straw-coloured, aqueous fluid, like 

 the serum of the blood. 



Treatment — Percivall's practice is clear and decisive. 

 He says it is time lost to set about attempts at dispersing 

 or resolving these tumours. The most summary mode of 

 getting rid of the swelling is to plunge a lancet into it and 

 evacuate it. Were we, however, to do nothing beyond this, 

 we should find in a day or two that the tumour had become 

 as large as ever. Evacuate it a second time, and the fluid 

 still will speedily recollect. To make a cure, we must 

 either follow up the evacuation by throwing into the 

 cavity with a syringe one of the following injections, or 

 else pass a seton through the sides of it : 



Take of White vitriol ... 1 scruple. 

 „ Distilled water ... 1 ounce. 

 Mix. 



Take of Lunar caustic ... 5 grains. 

 „ Distilled water ... 1 ounce. 

 Mix. 



After the injection, or even after the withdrawal of the 

 seton, which should only be retained until a laudable pus is 

 produced, a compress and roller (should they be applicable) 

 will be found much to assist the granulation and cohesion 

 of the sides of the cavity. 



ULCERATION. 



An ulcer is a sore arising from imperfect granulation, 

 secreting an unhealthy, impure, thin, irritating (sanious) 



