106 WOUNDS AND BRUISES. 



brandy, and rubbing it into the part with gentle friction, whicli 

 may be continued for about ten minutes. This application of 

 friction is so efficacious in relieving congestion, that often a swelling 

 of this kind perceptibly diminishes in size after it has been thus 

 rubbed for a few minutes. For this purpose, eucalyptus oil is more 

 effective than spirits ; but is liable to irritate the skin. Its use 

 should be restricted to those cases in which the swelling may 

 develop into an abscess (p. 77). If there be a wound as well as 

 swelling, apply ice to the part. After breaking it into small 

 pieces, enclose it in an indiarubber ba,g made for the purpose, or 

 other waterproof material, or place over it a single fold of cotton 

 rag, which should be kept constantly wet with cold water. If the 

 swelling does not go down in a day or two, and the formation of 

 pus is suspected, rub eucalyptus oil over it from time to time, or 

 oil of turpentine, which will slightly blister it. If attention has 

 not been called to the injury until pus has begun to form, rub 

 biniodide of mercury ointment on the part and open it with the 

 knife (Symes' abscess knife, for choice), when the tumour has 

 become soft to the touch, and inflammation has subsided. It is 

 well to open the abscess as soon as pus is present, which may 

 be assumed if the tumour becomes soft and " pits," and the previous 

 abnormal heat has left it. Having made the opening, syringe out 

 the pus, and treat the part as directed on page 79. After the 

 cavity has been thoroughly cleaned out, an injection of a solution 

 in ether of as much iodoform as it will take up, acts well in these 

 cases. A blister may be applied around an open abscess in order 

 to stimulate it to healthy action. If efficient drainage cannot be 

 obtained, pass a seton, smeared over with biniodide of mercury 

 ointment, through the lowest part of the abscess. If the vertebriB 

 have become involved, they should be cut down upon, and the dead 

 or diseased portions removed. Abscess of the withers is usually 

 called " fistulous withers." 



While the animal is idle, it is well to keep him on green food. 

 If his withers are sore, care should be taken that he does not rub 

 them against the frame-work of his stall or loose box. 



When open abscesses on the back are subjected to the continued 

 pressure of the saddle, they are liable to take on an angry, un- 

 healthy-looking appearance, and to acquire a hard, leathery margin, 

 in which case, as already said (p. 102), they are sometimes called 

 sitfasts. The hard, dead skin which surrounds the sore, acts as a 

 foreign body, and should be removed. This can be best done with 

 the knife after having cast the horse, and rendered the part 

 insensitive to pain by means of cocaine (p. 619). The resulting 

 wound should be treated antiseptioally (p. 67 et seq.). If a piece 

 of skin, as sometimes happens, is found in the centre of the wound 



