WOXJNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT. if&Ol 



The cavity should be thoroughly washed with stimulating anti- 

 septic solutions, such as 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid, 3 per cent 

 solution of compound cresol, 1 to 1,000 bichlorid of mercury, or 1 per 

 cent permanganate of potash solution. If the abscesses are foul 

 and bad smelling, their cavities should first be syringed with 1 pairt 

 of hydrogen peroxid to 2 parts of water and then followed by the 

 injection of any of the above-mentioned antiseptics. 



COLD ABSCESSES. 



Cold abscess is the term applied to those large, indolent swellings 

 that are the result of a low or chronic form of inflammation, in the 

 center of which there is a small collection of pus. They are often 

 seen near the point of the shoulder, forming the so-called breast boil. 

 The swelling is diffuse and of enormous extent, but slightly hotter 

 than surrounding parts, and not very painful upon pressure. A 

 pronounced stiffiiess, rather than pain, is evinced upon moving the 

 animal. Such abscesses have the appearance of a hard tumor, sur- 

 rounded by a softer edematous swelling, involving the tissues to the 

 extent of a foot or more in all directions from the tumor. This dif- 

 fused swelling gradually subsides and leaves the large j hardened 

 mass soniewhat well defined. One of the charactwistics of cold ab- 

 scesses is their tendency to remain in the same condition for a great 

 length of time. There is neither heat nor soreness ; ilo increase nor 

 lessening in the size of the tumor ; it remains in statu quo. If, how- 

 ever, the animal should be put to work for a short time the irrita- 

 tion of the collar causes the surrounding tissues to assume again an 

 edematous condition, which after a few days' riest disappears, leaving 

 the tumor as before or but slightly larger. Upon careful manipula- 

 tion we may discover what appears to be a fluid deep seiated in the 

 center of the mass. The quantity of matter so contained is veiy 

 small — often not more than a tablespoonful — and for this reason it 

 can not, in all cases, be detected. 



Cold abscesses are mostly, if not always, caused by the long- 

 continued irritation of a loose and badly fitting collar. There is a 

 slow inflammatory action going on, which results in the formation of 

 a small quantity Of matter inclosed in very thick and but partially 

 organized walls that are not so well defined as is the circumference 

 of fibrous turiiors, which they most resemble. 



Treatment. — The means recommended to bring the acute abscess 

 " to a head " are but rarely effectual with this variety ; or, if success- 

 ful, too much time has been occupied in the cure. We must look for 

 other and more rapid methods of treatment. These consist, first of 

 all, in carefully exploring the tumor for the presence of pus. The 

 inci'iions must be made over the softest part and carried deep into the 

 tumor — to its very bottom, if necessary — and the matter allowed to 



