WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 469 



WOUNDS OF THE TENDON SHEATHS. 



Wounds of tendon sheaths are similar to open joints in that there 

 is an escape of synovial fluid, *■' sinew water." Where the tendons are 

 simply punctured by a thorn, nail, or fork, we must, after a thorough 

 exploration of the wound for any remaining foreign substance, treat 

 with the flour-and-alum paste, bandages, etc., as for open joint. 

 Should the skin and tendons be divided the case is even more serious 

 and often incurable. There is always a large bed of granulations 

 (proud flesh) at the seat of injury, and a thickening more or less pro- 

 nounced remains. When the back tendons of the leg are severed we 

 should apply at once a high-heel shoe (which is to be gradually 

 lowered as healing advances) and bandage firmly with a compress 

 moistened with a 10-grain chloride of zinc solution. When proud 

 flesh appears this is best kept under control by repeated applications 

 of a red-hot iron. Mares that are valuable as brood animals and stock 

 horses should always be treated for this injury, as, even though 

 blemished, their value is not seriously impaired. The length of time 

 required and the expense of treatment will cause us to hesitate in 

 attempting a cure, if the subject is old and comparatively valueless. 



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 unnecessary. 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 then 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 it then 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 

 inverted 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 

 Avounds. Spent bullets may only produce a bruise. Should bones be 

 struck by a ball they are sometimes shattered and splintered to such 

 an extent as to warrant us in having the animal destroyed. A gim- 

 shot wound, when irreparable injury has not been done, is to be 



