WOUNDS 237 



done by removing the hair from the coronet and soaking 

 the whole foot in a cold antiseptic solution. After removal 

 from the bath, the coronet may be dressed with a moder- 

 ately strong solution of carbolic acid or perchloride of 

 mercury. When the injury is slight and recent, such is 

 sufficient to effect resolution. 



When marked swelling persists, however, and the in- 

 crease in heat and tenderness denotes the formation of pus, 

 recovery is not so easily obtained. In this case the appli- 

 cation of hot poultices or hot baths is called for. By these 

 means suppuration is promoted and induced to early break 

 through in the most favourable position — namely, the 

 softened skin of the coronet. The pus so escaping is always 

 more or less blood-stained, and contains both large and 

 small pieces of broken down and decomposed tissue. After 

 discharge of the pus, the cavity remaining should be 

 mopped out with an antiseptic solution, and a pledget of 

 antiseptic tow or other material left in position. All that 

 is then needed is constant dressing in a suitable manner. 

 We prefer in this instance washing some three or four times 

 a day with hot water until a perfectly clean wound is ob- 

 tained, and, after the washing, painting the raw surface 

 with a strong solution (1 in 200, or 1 in 100) of perchloride 

 of mercury. 



When the abscess we have described as forming is ex- 

 tremely large, or where it is more than ordinarily slow in 

 ' pointing,' the likelihood of its having burrowed for some 

 distance below the upper margin of the wall must be sus- 

 pected. Here it is sometimes wise to thin the wall with 

 the rasp immediately below the point of greatest swelling 

 of the coronet. This will serve to lessen pressure on the 

 sensitive structures beneath. 



Immediately the abscess contents have found exit at the 

 coronet, the cavity formerly occupied by the pus should 

 be explored. If to any extent it is found then to have 

 ' pocketed ' beneath the upper border of the wall, a counter- 

 opening should be made where the horn of the wall has 

 been thinned with the rasp. 



