288 DISEASES OF THE BONES AND ARTICULATIONS. 



Serous or sero-fibrinous secretions are rarely entirely absorbed, but 

 leave a slight, fluctuating tumor with thickened walls, which is to 

 be termed a " cystic abscess." 



When the condition comes on gradually, continuing to swell and 

 increase, taking a chronic form from the first, the walls of the 

 pouch become very much thickened. There is a gradual accumu- 

 lation of a mucus-like fluid. As a rule, true inflammatory symp- 

 toms are not present ; but if they are, only very slightly. 



Treatment. In cases of large fluid secretions (blood or serum) 

 it is best to puncture, following the antiseptic rules. Purulent 

 secretions may be removed by opening the pouch, making a par- 

 ticularly large opening, and using a draining-tube. Cystic abscesses 

 may be removed by means of tincture of iodine injected in them, 

 or by cutting them open, but best of all by excising them. The 

 author has found good results from first opening them, using the 

 drainage-tube, and applying such stimulating agents as tincture of 

 cantharides, creosote, solution of nitrate of silver 1 to 10. 



Diseases of the tendons or sheaths are of no importance in the 

 dog, and need not be discussed. 



MUSCULAR RHEUMATISM. 



Muscular rheumatism is a primary infection with more or less 

 complication of the muscular system. In some cases there is little 

 or no inflammation present, no fever, and the only indication of 

 rheumatism being present is stiffness of gait and pain on pressure. 



Etiology. The cause of rheumatism, which has been described 

 as a certain poisonous substance, may also be due to cold, atmos- 

 pheric influences, etc., or dampness, animals lying in kennels that 

 do not get the sun, or being kept in the cellar. We have, undoubt- 

 edly, a number of diseases of the muscular system which do not 

 develop from rheumatism, for instance, abnormal muscular exer- 

 tion and consequent laceration of some of the muscular fibres; 

 also from disturbances of the circulation, from chronic toxic in- 

 fluences, etc. It would be much better to discard the name 

 "muscular rheumatism" and simply call it ''muscular pain." 

 Experience has taught the author that muscular rheumatism is 

 seen frequently in old, delicate, or fat dogs, and is oftener ob- 

 served in winter than in summer. 



