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- 

 scesses 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 cases 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. Iodine, 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»> 



