NINTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X 437 
GUNSHOT WOUNDS. 
These wounds vary in size and character, depending on the size and 
quality of the projectile and also the tissue injured. They are so seldom 
met with in our animals that an extended reference to them seems un- 
necessary. If a wound has been made by a bullet a careful examination 
should be made to ascertain if the ball has passed through or out of 
the body. If it has not we must uen probe for the ball, and if it can be 
located it is to be cut out when practicable to do so. Oftentimes a ball 
may be so lodged that it can not be removed, and then it may become 
encysted and remain for years without giving rise to any inconvenience. 
It is often difficult to locate a bullet, as it is very readily deflected by 
resistances met with after entering the body. 
The entering wound is the size of the projectile, the edges are in- 
verted and often scorched. The wound produced in case of the bullet's 
exit is larger than the projectile, the edges are turned out and ragged. 
A bullet heated by the friction of the barrel or air often softens and 
becomes flattened on striking a bone or other tissue. Modern bullets that 
have an outer steel layer may pass through bone without splintering it. 
Leaden bullets may split, producing two exit wounds. Spent bullets may 
only produce a bruise. Should bones be struck by a ball they are some- 
times shattered and splintered to such an extent as to warrant us in 
having the animal destroyed. A gunshot wound, when irreparable in- 
jury has not been done, is to be treated the same as punctured wounds, i. 
e., stop the hemorrhage, remove the foreign body if possible, and apply 
hot fomentations . or poultices to the wound until suppuration is fairly 
etsablished. Antiseptic and disinfectant injections may then be used. 
Should pus accumulate in the tissues, openings must be made at the most 
depending parts for its escape. Wounds from shotguns fired close to 
the animals are serious. They are virtually lacerated and contused 
wounds. Remove all the shot possible from the wound, and treat as di- 
rected for contusions. When small shot strike the horse from a distance 
they stick in the skin or only go through it. The shot grains must be 
picked out, but as a rule this "peppering" of the skin amounts to but 
little. 
POISONED WOUNDS. 
These injuries are the result of bites of snakes, rabid dogs ,stings of 
bees, wasps, etc. A single sting is not dangerous, but an animal attacked 
by a swarm of insects may become serious, the chief danger coming from 
the swelling produced. If stung about the head, the nostrils may be 
closed as a result of the swelling, causing labored breathing and possibly 
asphyxiation. Intoxication may be produced by the absorption of this 
poison and is manifested by staggering gait, spreading of the legs, pa- 
ralysis of the muscles, difficult respiration, and rise of temperature. Death 
may follow in five to ten hours. 
Treatment. — Douse animal with cold water and apply any alkaline 
liquid, such as soapsuds, bicarbonate of soda, or weak solution of am- 
monia. Internally give alcohol, ether, or camphor to strengthen the 
heart. In case of bites by rattlesnakes, moccasin, or other poisonous 
