be classed as acute and cold or
chronic abscesses.

When an abscess occurs about a hair follicle it is called a boil or
furuncle; when several hair follicles are involved, resulting in the
formation of more than one exit for the inflammatory products, it is
called a carbuncle.

ACUTE ABSCESSES.

Acute abscesses follow as the result of local inflammation in glands,
muscular tissue, or even bones. They are very common in the two former.
The abscesses most commonly met with in the horse (and the ones which
will be here described) are those of the salivary glands, occurring
during the existence of "strangles," or "colt distemper." The glands
behind or under the jaw are seen to increase slowly in size, becoming
firm, hard, hot, and painful. At first the swelling is uniformly hard
and resisting over its entire surface, but in a little while becomes
soft (fluctuating) at some portion, mostly in the center. From this time
on the abscess is said to be "pointing," or "coming to a head," which is
shown by a small elevated or projecting prominence, which at first is
dry, but soon becomes moist with transuded serum. The hairs over this
part loosen and fall off, and in a short time the abscess opens, the
contents escape, and the cavity gradually fills up--heals by
granulations.

Abscesses in muscular tissue are usually the result of bruises or
injuries. In all cases in which abscesses are forming we should hurry
the ripening process by frequent hot fomentations and poultices. When
they are very tardy in their development a blister over their surface is
advisable. It is a common rule with surgeons to open an abscess as soon
as pus can be plainly felt, but this practice can scarcely be
recommended indiscriminately to owners of stock, since this little
operation frequently requires an exact knowledge of anatomy. It will
usually be found the better plan to encourage the full ripening of an
abscess and allow it to open of itself. This is imperative if the
abscess is in the region of joints, etc. When open, we must not squeeze
the walls of the abscess to any extent. They may be very gently pressed
with the fingers at first to remove the clots--inspissated pus--but
after this the orifice is simply to be kept open by the introduction of
a clean probe, should it be disposed to heal too soon. If the opening is
at too high a level another should be made into the lowest portion of
the abscess so as to permit the most complete drainage. Ho