236 
VARIETIES OF SADDLE-GALLS. 
the circulation, and the ruptured membrane undergoes repair. The 
status quo ante is thus restored. Proper treatment may remove such a 
swelling within a few days; but, as formed elements gradually replace 
the earlier infiltration of blood or serum, the longer such swellings have 
existed the longer will be the time occupied in their reabsorption. 
Subcutaneous extravasations of blood and lymph do not become 
absorbed so rapidly, and frequently last eight to fourteen days or longer. 
The larger the fluctuating swelling, the longer it persists. Sub-fascial 
extravasations are still more tedious, and hence those on the withers are 
always more difficult of removal than those on the saddle-bed. 
Cutaneous swellings are frequently followed by necrosis of the skin. 
Owing to defective local nutrition, it is most common on the site of old 
cicatrices, and also where the surfaces, while still tender, are again sub¬ 
jected to severe pressure. The living processes are thus arrested, the 
fluids are to a great extent pressed out of the tissues and vessels, and 
mummification or dry gangrene results. When this occurs, demarcation 
generally occupies two to three weeks, sometimes even longer; it is first 
completed in the loose subcutis, later in the corium. 
The third termination is suppuration : it seldom or never occurs in the 
cutaneous swellings, but is common in the subcutaneous, especially in 
those associated with extensive extravasation. This termination is met 
with, when the skin is broken as well as bruised, and also when the knife 
has been unnecessarily used. Fluctuation sometimes exists, and should 
it be mistaken for a sign of suppuration and incised, grave consequences 
are likely to result, especially in the region of the withers. Pus formation 
may lead to necrosis of the neighbouring fascia of the ligamentum nuchae, 
and even of the superior spinous processes, producing fistulous withers. 
The burrowing pus excites inflammation, which increases the difficulty 
of free discharge, brings about a cireulus vitiosus, and greatly delays 
recovery. Hiibner, during such a case affecting the occiput and the 
shoulder, counted 200 abscesses, from the size of peas to that of a 
child’s head. 
In severe injuries, like bruising of the skin and soft parts and crushing 
of the spinous processes, putrefactive processes and other grave conditions 
may occur with fatal results, which, however, are not very frequent. 
Disseminated pus formation and lymphangitis are liable to ensue as 
complications, sometimes spreading in the subcutis, and not infrequently 
also under the fascia. Necrosis of the ligamentum nuchse, of the 
superior spinous processes, and even of the deeper portions of the 
vertebrae may occur, and in exceptional cases necrosis of the ribs and of 
the shoulder-blade is seen. 
These conditions must not be confounded with certain forms of 
eczema, which are particularly apt to attack riding horses in regions 
