Inflarmnation and Feoer. 31 



■ward so as to project under the skin, and cut down upon 

 from without. In doing this important structures are largely 

 pushed aside, yet tliey may be left in the way of the incis- 

 ion, so that safety demands a knowledge of the parts to be 

 cut. More than one opening may be required from differ- 

 ent dependent sacs, though in other cases such sacs may be 

 made continuous, and be drained from one opening by 

 breaking down the partitions between them. Here again 

 tiiere is danger, as arteries and nerves sometimes pass 

 through the centre of an abscess, and dangerous bleeding 

 or paralysis may follow their division. 



If the lower or drainage- opening from an abscess is neces- 

 sarily small, or so compressed by adjacent structures as to 

 interrupt the free and constant flow of pus, a drainage-tube 

 of perforated caoutchouc, or a bunch of horse-hair or silk, 

 should be inserted to secure a perfect discharge. Such 

 agents should be clean and dipped in a solution of carbolic 

 acid (1 : 50) before insertion. When the sac has become 

 obliterated by contraction of its walls the canal of discharge 

 may be allowed to heal gradually, from within outward, by 

 withdrawing the drainage-tube a little day by day, cutting 

 off the projecting portion, and allowing the canal to close 

 behind it. 



When poultices appear insufficient to precipitate suppura- 

 tion, more stimulating applications may at times be adopted. 

 Blisters at times succeed, but there is a danger (especially 

 great in specific phlegmons like those of strangles) that they 

 may drive back the inflammatory products to form in other 

 organs, perhaps deep-seated and vital ones. The common 

 domestic remedy of sugar and soap is more certain and safe, 

 or it may be replaced by a mixture of salt, soap, and crude 

 Canada balsam. 



