ON ABSCESS. 
155 
and, in some instances, abscesses are found in the internal viscera. 
In other cases, abscesses disappear externally. The subject of them 
sinks into fever of a very low character, and dies. Upon dissec- 
tion, purulent abscesses are found in the internal organs 
In the horse, the foot is frequently injured — suppuration takes 
place, and, during its progress, the elimination of pus, in a few in- 
stances, suddenly ceases. The animal is shortly afterwards ob- 
served to be labouring under considerable internal excitation, and 
dies. On dissection, purulent collections are found in the internal 
viscera. Thus, during the progress, or subsequent to the fever, of 
strangles, the animal shews no external abscess; he, however, 
rapidly declines in condition and strength, and ultimately dies; and, 
upon examination, presents purulent infiltrations or abscesses in the 
internal viscera. 
In other cases, suppuration disappears in the abscess between 
the maxillary bones. The animal sinks into a languid depressed 
state; he can scarcely move his limbs; he feeds sparingly; and an 
abscess appears externally inside the thigh or some other part of 
the body, and then he recovers : or hectic fever continues, and he 
dies ; and, upon dissection, collections of pus are found in or about 
the kidneys, the liver, or the lungs. 
In cases of this description the energies and vital resistance of 
the system are greatly impaired from causes pre-existing to or con- 
curring with the disease, incases where consecutive abscesses form. 
As the disease advances, the powers of life are depressed; and the 
nervous system is proportionately and seriously affected. The cir- 
culation becomes weak and rapid, and its fluid is changed in ap- 
pearance. The softer solids lose their cohesion and vital elasticity. 
The morbid fluid or pus is collected into one or more distinct cavi- 
ties, or infiltrated into the parenchyma of some organ. In the 
latter case, the infiltrated structure is commonly softened; in other 
cases there is no distinct sac, and the purulent accumulation is 
occupying several recesses in the softened organ, without any mate- 
rial or remarkable change in the viscus. Occasionally the tissues 
in the immediate neighbourhood appear impacted around the ab- 
scess; but no other alteration is observed. The purulent liquid 
differs but little from that observed in other abscesses ; but when 
found in the liver, it is generally of a dark greenish hue. 
Some doubts may be entertained as to the origin of these puru- 
lent formations ; but of one thing there is no question, — that they 
are intimately connected with the primary formation of pus in other 
parts of the system. The precise way, however, cannot be readily 
pointed out. It is probable that, from a depressed vital energy 
and deficient resistance in the constitution, purulent fluid enters 
the circulation and vitiates the blood, which, in this morbid condi- 
