298 OPERATIVE SURGERY. 



Strains or Sprains. 



A sudden stretching of a soft structure, accompanied by 

 rupture of the muscle fibres or extension of the tendons, is often 

 followed by acute inflammation, swelling and fever. The 

 affected parts are then said to be strained or sprained. 



The sheep, owing to its naturally slow and careful move- 

 ments, rarely becomes affected with this condition. The sudden 

 frightening of sheep by dogs or other causes might, however, 

 result in the sprain of a limb from a sudden mis-step. 



Crcatment. 



Consists in bathing the affected part with either hot or cold 

 water to reduce the inflammation, and then applying some cool- 

 ing lotion such as: 



Distilled extract of witch hazel .... 4 ounces 



Tincture of arnica 1 ounce 



Soap liniment 1 ounce 



^Alcohol .2 ounces 



"Water 8 ounces 



Hbsccss. 



Is the collection of pus under the skin or in the deeper seat- 

 ed tissues. It may follow the infliction of a bruise or result from 

 some constitutional ailment. 



When an abscess is in process of formation the affected part 

 feels hot to the touch; is painful and as a rule the animal shows 

 signs of constitutional derangement, such as high fever. 



When the abscess is formed, by pressing the part, the fluid 

 contained in it is felt to fluctuate, but the part does not pit on 

 pressure like dropsical swellings. When the part feels soft to 

 the touch the abscess is said to point. It is then ready to open 

 and if left to itself would burst. This, however, leaves a gaping 

 wound which takes time to heal. The knife should always .be 



