32 * 
J. C. MYERS, JR. 
pus is of a thick, laudable white appearance, or in rare instances, 
singularly indeed, of a thin black, sometimes floculated character. 
This discoloration is due to some pigmentry deposition. The 
class of abscesses above described are extremely tedious in their 
healing progress, which can be attributed to a melanotic cancer¬ 
ous diathesis the patient labors under. These are most prevalent 
and, indeed, almost exclusively confined to grey horses. It some¬ 
times happens that the portion of the tumor anterior to the par¬ 
tition wall does not liquify, but leaves a fibrinous mass to be dis¬ 
posed of by the aid of escharotics. These are to be introduced 
after the deep cavity is plugged up. The most preferable caus¬ 
tic is a saturated solution of granulated chloride of zinc. 
Arsenic or corrosive sublimate may also be applied, but they 
require more time for the separation of the slough, thereby 
lengthening the progress of the case. Caustic potash is by 
some a favorite escharotic, but on account of its rapid deliques¬ 
cence there is danger of injuring the integument over which it is 
apt to flow. This disadvantage ought to be guarded against in 
the use of all caustics by anointing the neighboring integuments 
with melted suet or wax, which prevention is far easier to accom¬ 
plish than the healing of the excoriations and replacing the 
denuded hair. The plugging of the deep cavity, which ought to 
be done daily, is most conveniently and safely accomplished with 
a strip of worn linen saturated with carbolized oil. By this 
means we avoid the danger of the plug of oakum or cotton 
breaking and being retained within the cavity. 
The author of this paper has practised interstitial injections 
with various agents for chronic abscess under the levator humeri 
muscle. The most dangerous of these, if irrationally employed, 
is a combination of croton oil and ether. The action of this 
remedy in some cases proved very alarming by producing a vehe¬ 
ment inflammation extending over the whole visible anterior cervi¬ 
cal region, and down through the pectoral region, causing con¬ 
siderable anxiety to the employer, myself, and patient. In one 
case gangrenic abscesses supervened throughout the pectoral and 
inferior cervical region, placing my patient in immediate danger 
of septicaemia. This result led me to discard croton oil as an 
