248 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



tetanus, there are recognized the following: suppuration, ab- 

 scess formation, wound fever, septicemia, and pyemia. 



Suppuration is a wound infection disease caused by infection 

 with one or more of the pus-producing microorganisms, viz., 

 Staphylococcus pyogenes aureus, Staphylococcus pyogenes 

 albus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and the Bacillus pyocyaneus 

 of blue and green pus. Pus is a fluid of light yellow or green 

 color, somewhat creamy consistency, and having a character- 

 istic odor and sweetish taste. When collected in a test-tube and 

 allowed to stand, it separates into a supernatant liquid containing 

 salts in solution and a sediment containing the solid elements of 

 pus, viz., pus cells, bacteria, and tissue debris. The cells of 

 fresh pus (leukocytes) are alive and capable of movement; those 

 in old pus are usually dead. Pus acts as a mechanical cleanser 

 and brings irritating substances from the depths of wounds. 

 When allowed to remain in the tissues very long it corrodes them, 

 so wounds with much pus should be cleansed frequently. 



Abscess formation is one of the most common wound infection 

 diseases. An abscess is the local accumulation of pus in the 

 tissues. There are "hot abscesses" and "cold abscesses." The 

 hot abscess is always very sensitive to pressure and is accompanied 

 by the other symptoms of inflammation — viz., heat, redness, and 

 swelling. Cold abscesses are gradual in development and non- 

 sensitive. The skin is adherent over the surface of abscesses. 

 Advantage is taken of this fact in differentiating between abscesses 

 and other swellings. In the majority of cases the abscess has 

 developed so far by the time it is noticed that attempts to absorb 

 or "scatter" it are futile. However, in the early stages the daily 

 application of tincture or ointment of iodin will be found bene- 

 ficial. The application of a light blister or a stimulating liniment 

 assists absorption. Usually the best results are obtained by 

 applying a poultice to the "gathering" to bring it to a head 

 quicker than naturally. For this purpose "Denver Mud," 

 antiphlogistin, or a flaxseed poultice, with an antiseptic added 

 to keep down injurious germ growth, is useful. As soon as the 

 abscess softens in the center and the hair falls out it is ripe and 

 ready to be opened. This is done by making a liberal incision 

 to allow free draining of the pus. Boils and carbuncles are 

 abscesses of the skin. Most often the bacteria which cause them 

 gain entrance through hair follicles. 



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