44 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



three or four days the cavity is irrigated with an antisep- 

 tic solution of mild strength. Healing requires from two 

 to four weeks. The horse can do light work during this 

 time. 



It is not always necessary to incise the tumefaction on 

 both sides of the withers. In very many of these cases 

 all fluid and solids can be satisfactorily evacuated by 

 incising one side only. In selecting the site for lancing, 

 choose the side on which the swelling runs the farthest 

 anteriorly. It is futile to attempt a cure in cases that 

 have not yielded to fomentations by the use of an aspirat- 

 ing needle or a trocar. While the fluid portion of the 

 contents of the swelling can be drawn ofE in this manner, 

 the solidified matter in the form of flattened disks re- 

 mains. Within a few hours after the fluid has been 

 drawn off, the regeneration of a similar, or even greater, 

 amount takes place. If surgical intervention is indi- 

 cated, nothing but free incision will prove satisfactory. 



