126 THE HORSB. 



becomes soft (fluctuating) at some portion, mostly in the center. From 

 this time on the abscess is said to be "pointing" or "coming to ahead," 

 which is shown by a small elevated or projecting prominence, which at 

 first is dry, but soon becomes moist with transuded serum. The hairs 

 over this part loosen and fall off, and in a short time the abscess opens, 

 the contents escape, and the cavity gradually fills up — heals by granu- 

 lations. 



Abscesses in muscular tissue are usually the result of bruises or inju- 

 ries. In all cases where abscesses are forming we should hurry the 

 ripening process by frequent hot fomentations and poultices. When 

 they are very tardy in their development a blister over their surface is 

 advisable. It is a common rule with surgeons to open an abscess as 

 soon as the pus can be plainly felt, but this practice can scarcely be rec- 

 ommended to owners of stock indiscriminately, since this little operation 

 frequently requires an exact knowledge of anatomy. It will usually be 

 found the better plan to encourage the full ripening of an abscess and 

 allow it to open of itself. This is imperative if the abscess is in the re- 

 gion of joints, etc. When open, we must not squeeze the walls of the 

 abscess to any extent. They may be very gently pressed with the fin- 

 gers at first to remove the clots (inspissated pus) but after this the ori- 

 fice is simply to be kept open by the introduction of a whalebone probe, 

 should it be disposed to heal too soon. 



If the opening is at too high a level another should be made into the 

 lowest portion of the abscess. Hot fomentations or poultices are some- 

 times required for a day or two after an abscess has opened, and are 

 particularly indicated when the base of the absess is hard and indu- 

 rated. As a rule, injections into the cavity of abscesses are not in- 

 dicated, though in cases of serous abscesses (if one may be allowed 

 such latitude of terms), as cysts of the elbow, knee, etc., astringent in- 

 jections (sulphate of zinc, fifteen grains to the ounce of water) are 

 required to cause adhesions of the walls of the cavity and prevent it 

 from refilling. If abscesses are foul and bad-smelling their cavities 

 must be syringed with a weak solution of carbolic acid or other an- 

 tiseptics. 



Cold abscess is the term applied to those large, indolent swellings that 

 are the result of a low or chronic form of inflammation, in the center of 

 which there is a small collection of pus. These are mostly met with at 

 the base of the neck and in front of the shoulder joint. The swelling is 

 diffuse and of enormous extent, but slightly hotter than surrounding 



