OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. ' 55 



Symptoius. — The symptoms consist of swelling on one or 

 both sides; if on both, dyspnoea; swelling hot, hard and sore 

 under pressure; usually a rise of temperature; pulse 50; mouth 

 full of ropy saliva ; mucous membranes discolored according to 

 the amount of dyspnoea present. The abscess may form postero- 

 superiorly to the pharynx (post-pharyngeal abscess) in the 

 centre, but usually develops on one side more than on the other. 

 In all these cases the nose is poked out. Pressing the nose to- 

 ward the breast causes great pain ; if done suddenly, may make 

 the animal rear. 



Treatment. — When the abscess present itself by an external 

 swelling, surgical interference is indicated. Being deep-seated, 

 these abscesses will not point and rupture spontaneously, al- 

 though they may occasionally do so, and 9 times out of 10 they 

 have to be opened. When called to such a case, find out the 

 history, the length of time the case has been developing, etc., and 

 then operate 5 days from the time the disease began. If the case 

 has been running only 2 or 3 days, order a hot poultice. Change 

 night and morning until the abscess is 5 days old, when the pus 

 will have gathered sufficiently to be easily found, and then the 

 abscess can be evacuated. 



Operation. — The seat of operation is a dangerous one, there 

 are so many large blood vessels to be avoided. If the abscess 

 is superficial, there is not so much danger. Above the larynx 

 and in front of it there is a small triangular space. in which to 

 cut,— the external carotid and jugular, must be guarded against. 

 Clip the hair over a place 2 inches in diameter, and make a punc- 

 ture through the most prominent point of the swelling (put 

 intermittent pressure on the jugular below so as to easily see the 

 vein) and incise the skin with an inward, up and outward motion 

 of the knife. Then turn the knife down and push it into the 

 abscess slowly until resistance ceases. Then you are into the 

 pus sac, and when you withdraw the knife, the pus will come 

 out. \\'ith a probe pointed bistoury cut up or down as condi- 

 tions will permit, being careful not to cut off the blood vessels, 

 and enlarge the opening sufficiently to admit the finger. Slow 

 cutting causes less shock than fast. Stabbing will produce shock. 

 Syringe out the abscess and inject 1 pint of antiseptic solu- 



