GAIvLS AND BRUISES. 127 



parts, and not very painful upon pressure. There is a pronounced stiff- 

 ness, rather than pain, evinced upon moving the animal. Such ab- 

 scesses have the appearance of a hard tumor, surrounded by a softer 

 oedematous swelling, involving the tissues to the extent of a foot or 

 more in all directions from the tumor. This diffused swelling gradually 

 subsides and leaves the large, hardened mass somewhat well defined. 

 One of the characteristics of cold abscesses is their tendency to remain 

 in the same condition for a great length of time. There is neither heat 

 nor soreness; no increase nor lessening in the size of the tumor; it re- 

 mains statu quo. If, however, the animal should be put to work for a 

 short time the irritation of the collar causes the surrounding tissues to 

 again assume an cedematus condition, which, after a few days' rest, dis- 

 appear, leaving the tumor as before or but slightly larger. Upon care- 

 ful manipulation we may discover what appears to be a fluid deep seated 

 in the center of the mass. The quantity of matter so contained is very 

 small (often not more than a tablespoonful) and for this reason it cannot 

 in all cases, be detected. 



Cold abscesses are mostly, if not always, caused by the long-contin- 

 ued irritation of a loose and badly fitting collar. There is a slow in- 

 flammatory action going on, which results in the formation of a small 

 quantity of matter, inclosed in very thick and but partially organized 

 walls, that are not as well defined as is the circumference of fibrous tu- 

 mors, which they most resemble. 



Treatment. The means recommended to bring the acute abscess 

 "to a head" are but rarely effectual with this variety; or, if successful, 

 too much time has been occupied in the cure. We must look for other 

 and more rapid methods of treatment. These consist in, first of all, 

 c irefully exploring the tumor for the presence of pus. The incisions 

 must be made over the softest part, and carried deep into the tumor (to 

 its very bottom if necessary), and the matter allowed to escape. After 

 this, and whether we have found matter or not, we must induce an active 

 inflammation of the tumor in order to promote solution of the thick 

 walls of the abscess. This may be done by inserting well into the in- 

 cision a piece of oakum or cotton saturated with turpentine, carbolic 

 acid, tincture of iodine, etc., or we may pack the incision with powdered 

 sulphate of zinc and keep the orifice plugged for twenty-four hours. 

 These agents set up a destructive inflammation of the walls. Suppura- 

 tion follows, and this should now be encouraged by hot fomentations 

 and poultices. The orifice must be kept open, and should it be dis- 



