STRANGLES— CORYZA CONTAGIOSA EQUOBUM 401 



The abscesses should be encouraged to "ripen" by hot 

 fomentations. Blisters (biniodid of mercury in lard one to 

 four)^ are occasionally dangerous (dyspnea from increased 

 swellings). As soon as the first signs of fluctuation appear, 

 the abscesses should be opened, using a long incision, and the 

 pus discharged. Once evacuated, and thorough drainage 

 provided, too much after-treatment with the syringe is 

 contraindicated, as it retards healing. If, following the open- 

 ing of the abscess, the temperature does not sink in the next 

 twelve to twenty-four hours, further abscess formation may 

 be looked for. If the swelling does not decrease in size, a 

 second abscess is forming in the neighborhood. It is some- 

 times possible to thwart its development by puncture with a 

 finger or blunt instrument from the original abscess cavity. 

 Abscesses in the parotid region may be opened through 

 Viborg's triangle. Pharyngeal abscesses are frequently deep- 

 lying and can be reached only with a long, blunt instrument, 

 such as the metal nozzle of a syringe. (See Surgery.) 



If dyspnea develops and becomes serious, tracheotomy 

 should be performed. In profuse nasal discharge, steaming 

 the head is useful. It should not be repeated too often as it 

 tends to produce atony of the mucous membranes of the 

 nose and throat. The use of intralaryngeal and intratracheal 

 injections (subnitrate of bismuth 5 per cent., tannin 2 per 

 cent., Lugol's solution) are rarely necessary and sometimes 

 dangerous. 



Internal medication plays a secondary part in the treat- 

 ment of strangles. Drug treatment should be expectative 

 and contingent upon the arising symptoms. The fever and 

 heart are treated as in influenza (see this). When the bowels 

 are inactive, small doses of artificial Carlsbad salts may be 

 used (tablespoonful in feed). The catarrhal symptoms are 

 treated as in catarrh of the air passages (see this). 



Of late antistreptococcus serum is much used in strangles. 

 It is claimed it lessens the nasal discharge, shortens the term 

 of fever and prevents complications arising. Further sub- 

 stantiation is desirable. 



Protective Inoculation. — Seeum Therapy. — As an 

 attack of strangles usually produces immunity lasting for 

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