It usually happens however, in spite of every precaution, that matter will form, and its discharge become necessary. As soon as this is evident, it should be promoted as much as possible, by hot fomentations and poultices, till the head of the abscess is sufficiently distinct for it to be safely opened. While the swelling is going on the pain is often very severe, and it should be eased as much as possible, by using laudanum in the fomentations, or by putting on an opium plaster. After an abscess has opened and discharged, it should be kept open for some time, by little pledgets of lint, to prevent its closing up too soon, otherwise a portion of the matter may be shut in by the wound healing over it, and another abscess will form. Warm poultices and lotions should also be used afterwards, to promote the discharge as much as possible, but they should not be used after it has evidently begun to cease naturally. In short every means pointed out should be used energetically in the first stage, to _prevent_ the gathering, but if it takes place in spite of them, then it should be _hastened_ and _discharged_ as early as possible, to prevent its extending. After this, when it has evidently all escaped, the wound may be suffered to heal, and the patient must be enjoined to be very careful in future, for the same accident will be very liable to reappear. Sometimes these abscesses become very extensive, and remain for a long time. I have known ten or twelve on one breast, and I have known them to continue open for many months. When this is the case it is much to be deplored, as it is very likely indeed to destroy the breast, and may even lead to more serious results. Attention therefore cannot be bestowed upon them too early or too unremittingly, particularly if the female be scrofulous, or of a very full habit. Sometimes the inflammation attacks both breasts, and at other times only one, in which case every effort should be exerted to prevent its extending to the other. In many persons the same side is always affected, and becomes a scape-goat as it were for the other. When the means used succeed in scattering the swelling, its dispersion is usually followed by some critical discharge, such as diarrhœa, or a great flow of urine, or even by profuse perspiration, which shows how nature operates in removing the diseased matter, and cautions us not rashly to check such discharges.