Abscesses 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, etc., 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 

 cavity 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 an 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 



