WOUNDS ‘AND THEIR TREATMENT. » 501 
The cavity should be thoroughly washed with stimulating anti- 
septic solutions, such as 3 per cent solution of carbolic acid, 8 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 part 
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 stiffness, 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, hardened 
mass somewhat well defined. One of the characteristics 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; no 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’ rest disappears, leaving 
the tumor as before or but slightly larger. Upon careful manipula- 
tion we may discover what appears to be a fluid deep seated in the 
center of the mass. The quantity of matter so contained is’ very 
small—often not more than a eable onl acend 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 tumors, ‘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 
incisions must be made over the softest part and carried deep into the 
tumor—to its very bottom, if necessary—and the matter’ allowed to 
