504 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
sues may disappear, leaving a prominent tumor. The swelling, 
whether situated upon the head or the withers, may open and form a 
running ulcer, or its contents may dry up and leave a tumor which 
gradually develops the common characteristics of a fibrous tumor. 
When the enlargement has opened we should carefully examine its 
cavity, as upon its condition will wholly depend our treatment. 
Treatment.—In the earliest stage, when there is soreness, enlarged 
lymphatics, but no well-marked swelling, the trouble may frequently 
be aborted. To do this requires both general and local treatment. 
A physic should be given, and the horse receive 1 ounce of powdered 
saltpeter three times a day in his water or feed. If the fever runs 
high, 20-drop doses of tincture of aconite root every two hours may 
be administered. The local application of cold water to the inflamed 
spot for an hour at a time three or four times a day has often proved 
very beneficial, and has afforded great relief. 
Cooling lotions, muriate of ammonia, or saltpeter and water; seda- 
tive washes, such as tincture of opium and aconite, chloroform lLini- 
ment, or camphorated oil, are also to be frequently applied. Should 
this treatment fail to check the progress of the trouble, the formation 
of pus should be hastened as rapidly as possible. Hot fomentations 
and poultices are to be constantly used, and as soon as the presence of 
pus can be detected, the abscess wall is to be opened at its lowest point. 
In this procedure lies our hope of a speedy cure. As with any simple 
abscess, if drainage can be so provided that the pus will run off as 
fast as formed without remaining within the interstices of the tissues, 
the healing will be rapid and satisfactory. 
Attention is again called to the directions given above as to the 
necessity of probing the cavity when opened. - If upon a careful ex- 
amination with the probe we find that there are no pockets, no si- 
nuses, but a simple, regular abscess wall, the indication for treatment 
is to make an opening from below so that all the matter must escape. 
Rarely is anything more needed than to keep the orifice open and to 
bathe or inject the parts with some simple antiseptic wash that is not 
irritant or caustic. A low opening and cleanliness constitute the 
essential and rational treatment. 
If the abscess has already opened, giving vent to a quantity of 
purulent matter, and the pipes and tubes leading from the opening 
are found to be extensive and surrounded with thick fungoid mem- 
branes, there is considerable danger that the internal ligaments or 
even some of the bones have become affected, in which case the con- 
dition has assumed a serious aspect. Or, on the other hand, if the 
abscess has, existed for some time without a rupture, its contents will 
frequently be found to consist of dried purulent matter, firm and 
dense, and the walls surrounding the mass will be found greatly 
thickened. In such a case we must generally have recourse to the 
