382 



SPKAINS — BRUISES — ABSCESS. 



by venomous snakes, and that when this occurs, " a spoonful 

 of rape or olive oil should be given several times a day, or 

 the same quantity of the solution of an ounce of volatile salt 

 in two quarts of water." In France snakes have been 

 thought to suck the milk of ewes, inflicting wounds in the 

 teat which cause them to dry up permanently.* I have never 

 seen or heard of a case of either kind in the United States ; 

 and I attach no credit to the supposed snake-sucking in any 

 part of the world. 



Sprains. — The mode of treating sprains recommended in 

 the Mountain Shepherd's Manual is the only one I have ever 

 heard of which was attended with any observable success. 

 The limb is immediately immersed in hot water for half an 

 hour, and this repeated several times a day. The cure is 

 often rapid. 



Bruises and Strains, — Are treated on the sheep, if at 

 all, with hot fomentations, and the application of camphor. 



Abscess. — ^I have never seen a case of this. Mr. Spooner 

 says : — "Abscess, which is a collection of pus or matter under 

 the skin, may be produced by a bruise, or by some constitutional 

 «ause. WhUst collecting, the surface of the skin is usually 

 very tender, and sometimes there is also much constitutional 

 irritation present. A collection of matter may be known by 

 the heat, swelling and pain of the part. On pressing it the 

 contained fluid is felt to fluctuate ; and the pressure being 

 removed, the part immediately assumes its former shape, 

 whilst a watery or dropsical swelling, on being pressed, 

 leaves for some time the marks of the fingers. After some 

 time the abscess points; that is, the matter can be more 

 distinctly felt at one particular part, at which, if permitted, 

 the abscess would soon burst. This, however, should not be 

 permitted ; but at this stage the abscess should be opened at 

 the lowest part, or that which would admit most readily of 

 its discharging itself. The opening should be large, and no 

 dressing will be required except the continuance of the 

 fomentation, which should previously be used. It should be 

 observed that, if the abscess is languid and slow in forming, 

 a stimulant, such as hartshorn and oil, rubbed in occasionally, 

 will be useful." 



* Mountain Shepherd's Manual, p. 8. 



