264: VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



As soon as the abscess is opened, the matter will squirt out with great 

 force. The incision must be kept open, and the abscess occasionally in- 

 jected for a few days with warm water by means of a syringe in order to 

 clean away any matter which may be adhering to its sides. Or a small 

 piece of tow may be put into the opening and removed occasionally, to 

 prevent the wound closing too soon. 



But when the abscess is deep-seated, great caution is necessary in tlie 

 operation for fear of injuring with the lancet any of the blood-vessels in 

 its neighborhood. Any considerable flow of blood may prove fatal to an 

 animal already in a weak and debilitated state; and again if the lancet 

 should cut through the duct of the salivary gland, we may have a very 

 troublesome fistulous sore, discharging saliva. The operetion should not 

 be attempted unless the pressure of the tumor produces great distress in 

 the breathing; or unless it is so situated that it is probable that the pus, 

 which will escape on its bursting internally, will cause suffocation. 

 Premature lancing of the tumor should be carefully avoided. 



Occasionally it happens that the tumor is so placed on the side of the 

 throat that by joressing on the windpipe it causes extreme diflBculty in 

 breathing. In such cases it may be necessary to open it, even though 

 not fully matured; and if it can be laid well open with safety, the opera- 

 tion will give relief. In extreme cases relief to the breathing can only 

 be obtained by tracheotomy. Though the glands about the head are the 

 usual seat of the tumor, yet abscesses may, as mentioned above, form in 

 any of the glandular structures. 



If the tumor should form in any of the internal glandular structures, 

 such as the mesentery, liver or lungs, it will probably be fatal. 



The tumor of strangles may also form in different parts of the body 

 apart from the glandular structures, as for instance on the shoulders, in 

 front of the chest, etc. 



The after-treatment consists simply in the continuance of good nurs- 

 ing and careful attention to appetite, diet, and ventilation, until the 

 strength is restored. 



