128 THE HORSE. 



posed to heal we must again introduce some of the agents above 



described. A favored treatment with many, and it is probably the 

 best, is to plunge a red-hot iron to the bottom of the incision, and 

 thoroughly sear all parts of the walls of the abscess. This is to be 

 repeated after the first slough has taken place, if the walls remain thick- 

 ened and indurated. 



i It is useless to waste time with fomentations, poultices, or blisters in 

 the treatment of cold abscesses, since, though apparently removed by 

 such methods, they almost invariably return again when the horse 

 is put to work. Extirpation by the knife is not practical, as the 

 walls of the tumor are not sufficiently defined. If treated as above 

 directed, and properly iitted with a good collar after healing, there will 

 not remain any track, trace, or remembrance of the large, unsightly 

 mass. 



Bruises. These are nothing but contused wounds, where the skin 

 has not been ruptured. There is often considerable solution of continuity 

 of the parts under the skin, subcutaneous hemorrhage, etc., which may 

 result in local death (mortification) and slough of the bruised part. If 

 the bruise or contusion is not so severe, very many cases are quickly 

 cured by constant fomentation with hot water for from two to four 

 hours. The water should be allowed, about this time, to gradually be- 

 come cool and then cold. Cold fomentation must then be kept up for 

 another hour or two. Dry the parts thoroughly and quickl}^ and bathe 

 them freely with camphor one ounce, sweet oil eight ounces. A dry, 

 light bandage should then be applied, the horse allowed rest, and, if 

 necessary, the camphorated oil may be repeated for two or three days. 

 If, however, the wound is so severe that sloughing must ensue, we must 

 encourage this by poultices made of linseed meal, wheat bran, turnips, 

 onions, bread and milk, or hops. Charcoal is to be sprinkled over the 

 surface of the poultice when the wound is bad .smelling. After the 

 slough has fallen off the wound is to be dressed with antiseptic washes 

 of carbolic acid, chloride or zinc, permanganate of potash, etc.. If 

 granulating (filling up) too fast, iise burnt alum; or air-slaked lime. 

 Besides this local treatment we find that the constitutional symptoms of 

 fever and inflammation call for measures to prevent or control them. 

 This is best done by placing the inj ured animal on soft or green food. 

 A physic of Barbadoes aloes, one ounce, should be given as soon as p3?' 

 sible, after the accident. Sedatives, as tincture of aconite root, fifteeii 



