Diseases of the. Dog. 113 
becomes first moist, then denuded of hair, and; later, by 
internal absorption or ulceration of the skin; the contents, 
now become fluid, are readily felt by the fingers. In- 
ternal pressure, the result of pus formation, and the action 
of contiguous muscles, &c., now causes the abscess to 
bulge outwards, and ultimately forces the skin at the 
weakest part, when the contents are evacuated. 
Treatment——The maturation ofan abscess often causes 
much pain and systemic disturbance, and to avoid this 
the surgeon, after investigation, detecting the presence of 
pus, hastens the process of recovery by plunging a lancet 
through the point where maturation is evident. Thus, 
as a rule, ends the malady. With the evacuation of the 
contents healing proceeds rapidly and safely, all that is 
required being the usual means of cleanliness to prevent 
the accumulation of dried pus or dirt around the orifice. 
In the case of deep-seated abscesses, or those situate 
below or between muscles some distance from the surface, 
much judgment and skill are required in order to decide 
upon the exact locality, and the requisite form of surgical 
treatment which can neither be understood nor practised 
by an amateur, and, therefore, calls for no farther comment 
here. 
- Serous Cyst, otherwise known as Serous Abscess, is 
mostly located superficially, and is the result of blows, 
falls, or severe local pressure. It is not of frequent 
occurrence in the dog, neither serious in its nature nor 
consequences. The contents being sem or a red-coloured 
fluid, having the density of water or thereabouts, the 
produce of the blood-vessels involved in the injury, the 
accumulation is regulated by the surface involved. Ab- 
sorption of the contents is also delayed by the formation 
of a dense lining membrane of cellular tissue, and the 
swelling may remain for weeks or months. 
Treatment consists of liberating the contents of the sac 
by means of a lancet or curved bistoury. The former is 
plunged through the centre, and the orifice widened as 
the instrument is withdrawn. The bistoury is preferable, 
being passed through the skin on one side and across to 
the opposite, when it emerges; it is then turned edge 
