30 VETERINARY 



varies much, but generally, in a common abscefs, 

 about the fourth da}\ This, however, takes place 

 sooner in a young horse than in an old one ; it 

 also takes place sooner in parts that are not glan- 

 dular, and particularly in those parts that are near 

 the source of circulation. Some parts do not ad- 

 mit of suppuration ; for instance, a tendon : but if 

 the inflammation runs to a great height, gangrene 

 and mortification may ensue. It sometimes hap- 

 pens, after pus is formed, that neither the local nor 

 constitutional symptoms abate ; this may be owing 

 either to the great irritability of the constitution? 

 or to the matter being confined by bone or fascia. 

 Pus is generally evacuated by an external outlet, 

 or it may be taken up by the absorbents. 



Pus is, when examined from a healthy sore or 

 abscefs, an unctuous, whitish, opake, equal fluid, 

 perfectly inodorous, much resembling cream, and 

 of a sweetish mild taste. When examined by the 

 microscope, its colour, like that of the blood, seems 

 to depend upon a number of small round globules, 

 nearly resembling those observed in milk, and 

 which appear to swim in a fluid. The thick nefs 

 of pus seems to depend upon the number of glo- 

 bules; greater quantities being always found in 

 thick laudable pus. Its specific gravity is equal to 

 about that of blood. It sinks very readily in water ^ 



