252 
BRUISES OF THE ABDOMINAL PARIETES. 
small blood-vessels and limited tracts of tissue are ruptured, more or less 
hard, firm, inflammatory swellings result. When larger vessels are 
ruptured, swellings (haematomata) resembling herniae are produced. In 
large animals extensive extravasations commonly develop in the subcutis, 
or under the panniculus, but are rarely seen under the slightly elastic, 
yellow abdominal tunic. The tunica abdominalis may likewise be divided, 
and the rupture mistaken for a hernial opening. But such faulty diagnosis 
is less serious than when a hernia is taken for an extravasation, and 
treated as such. 
Progress. Simple inflammatory swellings, even when of moderate size 
and situated on the yellow abdominal tunic, are more easily reabsorbed 
than large haematomata. But when the swelling disappears, a portion of 
the abdominal contents may present itself under the skin. From its 
fluctuating character this new swelling may be mistaken for an abscess. 
An abscess, however, is distinguished by its periphery of firm solidified 
tissue, and softening centre. When an abscess forms, it generally per¬ 
forates outwardly, seldom discharges into the peritoneal cavity or into 
the intestine, and, when opened, usually heals. Inflammatory processes 
invading the peritoneum cause thickening, and occasionally lead to 
adhesions limiting the movements of the bowel, the walls of which may 
give way, as Curdt has noticed in the horse. Haematomata undergo a 
course similar to that of inflammatory swellings, but their resorption is 
less probable. On their perforating or being opened, they discharge 
offensive fluids and sometimes gas. 
In cattle, less frequently in the other domestic animals, “ cold 
abscesses ” occur in the walls of the abdomen. The cause may escape 
observation, the injury remaining unrecognised for a considerable period ; 
like those of strangles, “ cold abscesses” may have a metastatic origin. 
In cattle especially, months may elapse before any change is noticed, but 
then the swelling suddenly and rapidly increases, becomes painful, some¬ 
times contains gas, may produce high fever, and, if not opened, soon 
perforates. 
The appearance of the swelling, as before stated, may vary. It may be 
firm, hard, and painful : sometimes it is fluctuating. * When recent, it is 
often associated with oedema, especially in deeper lying neighbouring- 
parts, under the belly. As pointed out, it may be mistaken for a hernia, 
and the rule should be observed not to operate before being perfectly 
convinced of the absence of rupture. The compressibility of the hernia 
is certainly characteristic, but nevertheless mistakes easily occur. In 
doubtful cases, an exploratory puncture may be made with antiseptic 
precautions. 
Treatment. Newly developed swellings are first treated with cold appli¬ 
cations to prevent further extravasation ; subsequently moist warmth is 
