96 THEORY AND PRACTICE 



nose is poked out; deglutition is difficult; neck stiff; and it is 

 hard for the animal to eat. The abscess is likely to be deep- 

 seated, and will take a long time to rupture spontaneously. Con- 

 sequently we do not wait but open it up. Small superficial ab- 

 scesses may rupture of their own accord. 



Treatment. — Hot poultices are easier than applications of hot 

 water. If you set a man to bathing a part with hot water, he 

 in inclined to get tired and stop before he has accomplished any 

 good results. A hot linseed poultice will soften the abscesses 

 and about the fifth day it can be opened and the pus let out. 

 Into the cavity inject an antiseptic solution, then insert a little 

 pledget of gauze and poultice some more to soften the inflamed 

 swelling. If a poultice is properly made with boiling water, it 

 must be pretty nearly sterile. You never get any infection from 

 a poultice, if properly made. 



Usually the salivary discharge from the gland is increased and 

 a salivary fistula will follow. This discharge is clear and odor- 

 less. Insert a probe-pointed bistury into the fistula, enlarge the 

 opening slightly — to about 1-4 inch in diameter — and inject 

 tincture of iodine full strength. A single dose ought to cure. 

 If not, repeat about once in every ten days. 



PTYALISM. 



Ptyalism is an increased flow of saliva. This cannot be 

 considered a disease but is a symptom of some other trouble. 

 Ptyalism accompanies many diseases, such as sore throat, te- 

 tanus, sore mouth, etc. As a rule it may be said that any in- 

 flammation near the salivary gland will increase the secretion of 



saliva. 



Treatment. — The most effectual treatment is to remove the 

 cause. When the horse slobbers too freely while in harness or 

 while eating, there is something wrong with his mouth — either 

 the bit irritates him and causes soreness or his teeth are too 

 sharp and the bit pulls the cheek against the sharp corners of the 

 upper molars. It is not at all uncommon for a horse to foam at 

 the mouth a good deal while driving. This, of course, is disa- 

 greeable and looks bad. When the veterinarian is consulted he 



