A bscesses 167 
the abscess to a “head.” As soon as pus is detected in 
the tissues (this is indicated by a soft “plunky” feeling 
when the part is manipulated) the abscess should be 
opened. For this use a sharp-pointed knife, taking 
the blade firmly between the thumb and _ forefinger 
about the distance from the point that it will be neces- 
sary to insert the knife to reach the pus cavity. Insert 
the knife quickly at the lowest or most dependent. part, 
in order to give free drainage to the pus. In making 
the incision, do not stand directly in front, as the pus 
often spurts some distance. The opening should be 
made large enough to allow the pus to escape freely, and 
the wound to be washed out and treated. Abscesses should 
always be thoroughly examined for foreign bodies, such 
as sticks, pieces of bone, ete., which, if found, should 
be removed. After emptying the cavity, wash it out 
thoroughly with warm water and use antiseptics freely. 
The incision should not be allowed to heal until the 
eavity has filled up from the bottom, or another abscess 
is likely to follow. The incision can be kept open by 
plugging with absorbent cotton or tow. The hair below 
a wound or au abscess should be kept well greased, in 
order to prevent the discharges from irritating or 
scalding the skin. 
If an abscess is not opened, it will usually “break” 
and discharge of its own accord at last; but as the pus 
burrows into the tissues seeking an outlet, the early 
opening of the “ pocket” greatly hastens ultimate 
recovery. In opening abscesses care must be taken 
not to cut by mistake into a hernia, or rupture, or into 
a joint or cavity containing synovial fluid or “joint 
