106 WOUNDS AND BEUISES. 



I have often seen a swelling of this kind perceptibly diminish in 

 size after it had been thus rubbed for a few minutes. For this 

 purpose, eucalyptus oil is more effective than spirits ; but is liable 

 to irritate the skin. Hence we should restrict its use to those cases 

 in which we fear that the swelling may develop into an abscess 

 (p. 77). If there be a wound as well as swelling, we may apply 

 to the part, ice, which, after breaking it into small pieces, we may 

 enclose in an indiainibber bag made for the purpose, or in other 

 waterproof material, or we may place over it a single fold of cotton 

 rag, which we should keep constantly wet with cold water. If the 

 swelling does not go down in a day or two, and we have reason to 

 suspect that pus is likely to form, we may iTib over it eucalyptus 

 oil from time to time, or oil of turpentine, which will slightly 

 blister it. If our attention has not been called to the injury until 

 pus has begun to form, we may iTib on the part biniodide of mer- 

 cury ointment and open it with the knife (Symes' abscess knife, for 

 choice), when the tumour has become soft to the touch, and when 

 the inflammation has subsided. It is well to open the abscess as 

 soon as we are certain that pus is present, which fact we may 

 assume if the tumour becomes soft and " pits," and if the previous 

 abnormal heat has left it. Having made the opening, we should 

 syringe out the pu«, and treat the part as directed on page 79. 

 After the cavity has been thoroughly cleaned out, I have found 

 that an injection of a solution in ether of as much iodoform as 

 it will take up, acts well in these cases. A blister may be applied 

 around an open abscess in order to stimulate it to healthy action. 

 If we cannot obtain efficient drainage, we may pass a seton, smeared 

 over with biniodide of mercury ointment, through the lowest part 

 of the abscess. If the vertebrae have become involved, they should 

 be cut down upon, and the dead or diseased portions removed. 

 Abscess of the withers is usually called "fistulous withers." 



While the animal is idle, it is well to keep him on green food. 

 If Lis withers are sore, care should be taken that he does not rub 

 them against the frame-work of his stall or loose box. 



When open abscesses on the back are subjected to the continued 

 pressure of the saddle, they are liable to take on an angry, un- 

 healthy-looking appearance, and to acquire a hard, leathery margin, 

 in which case, as I have already said, they are sometimes called 

 sitfasts. As the hard, dead skin which surrounds the sore, acts 

 as a foreign body; it should be removed. This can be best done 

 with the knife after having cast the horse, and after having ren- 

 dered the part insensitive to pain by means of cocaine (p 608). 

 The resulting wound should be treated antiseptically (p. 67, et 

 seq). If a piece of skin, as sometimes ha,ppens, is found in 

 the centre of the wound and detached from the remainder 



