FLESH WOUNDS. 365 



748. Excessive Granulations. 



In some indolent wounds and especially in those over the coronet, 

 there is often a disposition to excessive and unhealthy granulations, other- 

 wise called proud flesh. This disposition must he kept in check by the 

 application of some astringent or caustic, such as sulphate of copper or 

 zinc, nitrate of silver, or alum, and in some cases, where it can be con- 

 veniently applied, by pressure. When granulations form in masses, 

 matter will often be found under them, which is apt to burrow in sinuses, 

 unless an opening be made for it. 



749. Sloughing. 



Sloughing is death of a part, produced by disease or injury. The cir- 

 culation is obstructed and the part undergoes decomposition. Sloughing 

 is apt to take place whenever a part has been much lacerated or bruised. 

 The slough may be superficial or deep. When the slough has separated, 

 repair takes place by granulations. The extent of a slough depends on 

 the nature of the injury and on its situation. The parts most liable to 

 slough are those that have 'only a small supply of blood. Vascular parts 

 are not so liable to take on this action. 



750. Rest. 



In all wounds it is an object of much importance to keep the part in a 

 state of rest. In some parts a certain degree of motion cannot be 

 avoided, but an endeavour should be made to lessen it as far as possible. 

 For instance, if the jaw be injured it is desirable to place the patient on 

 sloppy diet, which will not require much mastication. In wounds of the 

 leg, advantage may be taken of particular kinds of shoes, such as those 

 raised at the heels or at the toes, according to the circumstances of the 

 particular case. In some cases the patient will require to be tied up to 

 prevent his moving about, whilst in other cases a cradle will be needed to 

 prevent his gnawing the wound with his teeth. 



751. Sutures, Bandages, &c. 



Sutures are useful in bringing together the edges of the skin in parts 

 where there is but little flesh, such as on the forehead, the nose, and eye- 

 lids ; but they do not answer in fleshy parts, because the weight of the 

 flesh and the swelling arising from the attendant inflammation generally 

 bursts them. In such cases the needful apposition of the parts is best 

 promoted and maintained by bandages. Again, sutures are not advisable 

 where the edges of the wound are much torn, or where there are foreign 

 bodies lodged in it, because the inflammation and suppuration, which 

 ensues in such cases, is aggravated by the confinement of the matter, and 

 in the end the sutures generally break away. 



Sutures are best applied by means of a curved needle. Interrupted 

 sutures answer better than continuous, because the process of healing by 

 direct union or by adhesion is seldom complete in the horse for reasons 



