368 CHAPTER 48. 



contused wounds, however, do not require to be opened, because the effect 

 of the fomentations and stimulating liniments, which may be applied, are 

 often sufficient to rouse the blood-vessels and absorbents to remove the 

 effused fluids. In all contused wounds, whether great or small, there is 

 always, it must be remembered, some destruction, though it may be very 

 slight, of the subcutaneous tissues, or muscles. The products resulting 

 from such causes must be removed. If the powers of nature are not suffi- 

 cient, their more speedy removal must be assisted by art. 



As in lacerated wounds, the violent inflammation at first existing in 

 the contused and neighbouring parts must be reduced by general and 

 topical measures before the healing process will commence. 



During the healing process serum is very apt to collect in cavities in 

 the wound. Though punctured, the sacs are apt to fill and refill, and 

 sometimes there is a good deal of trouble in getting rid of them. They 

 are best treated by being freely laid open and injected with a diluted 

 solution of zinc or copper, or a seton may be passed through them. 



757. Treatment of Punctured Wounds. 



Punctured Wounds, if the puncture does not extend into a joint or 

 through the sheath of a tendon, are best treated by being laid open and 

 converted into ordinary incised wounds. 



Unless this course is taken much pain will ensue, because the deeper 

 tissues, which have been injured and which will become inflamed, have 

 otherwise no room to swell. Again unless a free opening is made, the 

 matter, which is sure to arise from the inflammatory action, will burrow 

 and form abscesses and sinuses. The opening must be kept clean by fre- 

 quent washing and dressing ; and in some cases it may be advisable to 

 insert a pledget of tow smeared with ointment in order to ensure the 

 maintenance of the opening. 



If there is good reason to think, that the puncture has penetrated a 

 joint or the sheath of a tendon, the case must be treated as one of open 

 joint, for the treatment of which the reader is referred to the preceding 

 chapter. 



758. Poisoned and Gunshot Wounds. 



Poisoned and Gunshot Wounds are of very rare occurrence in the horse. 

 The Author has therefore decided to omit all notice of them, though the 

 subjects in themselves are interesting. 



758<x. Blemishes from Wounds. 



Some degree of blemish will always result, where the skin is cut 

 through, but the extent thereof will be lessened if due care is taken to 

 avoid injuring the new skin with caustics, though it may be necessary to 

 keep the granulations, or as they are popularly called " proud flesh," 

 under control. 



These growths will probably require reduction from time to time, but 

 the caustic must be applied only to their central portions, so that no 



