166 The Diseases of Animals 
curative treatment requires more or less cutting and 
removing of tissue. 
Abscesses 
These are commonly called “gatherings.” They are 
accumulations of pus or “matter” in cavities within the 
tissues of the body. There are two varieties of abscesses, 
commonly known as “acute” and “cold.” Acute ab- 
secesses form rapidly and are accompanied by marked 
inflammation, with heat, pain, redness and swelling. 
Cold abscesses are of a chronic nature; they form 
gradually, without marked symptoms of inflammation, 
until they are of considerable size. Abscesses are caused 
by some injury, or by the presence of bacteria, foreign 
bodies, or irritants within the tissues. 
As soon as the symptoms appear, one of two methods 
should be adopted. (1) In some eases it is a good plan 
to try to “scatter” the abscess by rubbing and by ap- 
plying remedies to absorb the fluid or pus. Rubbing 
with a stimulating liniment, or applying light blisters, 
is useful. Jodine, either as tincture or ointment, may 
be applied daily until the skin begins to get sore, and 
then be stopped for a few days. This treatment is 
useful in the removal of bunches and enlargements 
generally, but it should not be applied when there is 
acute inflammation in the part. (2) The other method, 
and usually the better one, is to hasten its formation, 
as an abscess is usually an effort of nature to rid the 
body of some injurious substance. Bathing the affected 
part with hot water and applying poultices to soften 
and soothe the tissues will assist materially in “drawing» 
