WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT 



By using " button " sutures the tension can be relieved 

 according to necessity. Other stitches can be used in addition. 

 The number of stitches placed in a wound will, of course, vary 

 with its length and shape. 



It is more a matter of common sense than one of rule. 

 Always begin sewing the wound from each end towards the 

 middle. In deep wounds the stitches require to be of stout 

 material. Metallic wire is the most useful for this purpose. 

 \\'henever the swelling causes a drag upon the stitches, we must 

 make an effort to do away with this tension. 



\\'hen sewing a wound, it is a good plan to keep the part 

 irrigated with creolin or carbolic acid lotion. 



When a wound is torn irregularly (lacerated), the irregular- 

 ities must be drawn as neatly together as possible. 



BROKEN KNEE. 



If a horse falls upon its knees there may be neither wound 

 nor abrasion, but it very often happens that the knee swells in 

 consequence. This is due to the rupture of minute blood 

 vessels beneath the skin, the injury inducing inflammation 

 beneath this, at and around the seat of the bruise. Perhaps this 

 and superficial scratches are the commonest forms of injury to 

 the knees. The ground upon which the animal falls determines, 

 as a rule, the extent of the injury. For instance, a fall upon a 

 rough or flint stone road is liable to injure the extensor tendons, 

 the sheaths, or open the joint or joints, of which there are 

 really three. \\'hen this happens there is a discharge of the 

 lubricating fluid, or the so-called joint oil. Inability 

 to flex the joints is constant, or partly constant, 



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