160 WOUND TREATMENT 



dom of a small blue-grass pasture, and beyond some sup- 

 puration which later necessitated drainao:e, a complete 

 and uneventful recovery resulted. 



Laceration Without Eventration 



Laceration of some part of the abdominal wall without 

 eventration is of common occurrence and is caused in 

 numerous ways. Because of the fact that fibres of the 

 several muscular layers of the abdominal w^all are dis- 

 posed in various directions, large wounds occur without 

 complete perforation. This is particularly true when the 

 offending implement is not possessed of a keen edge or a 

 sharp point. Horses are kicked by others that are w^ear- 

 ing sharp calked shoes, receiving extensive lacerations, 

 but it is unusual for the victims of this mode of injury 

 to suffer eventration at the time of accident. In jump- 

 ing over and upon fences, lacerations of the abdominal 

 wall occur ; but unless the animal strikes an upright body 

 capable of penetrating the abdomen, extensive lacerations 

 usually take place without immediate eventration. 



Lacerations of the abdominal wall are characterized by 

 visible solution of continuity, fragmentary protrusion of 

 margins, and more or less hemorrhage. Because of the 

 facility with which separation of tissue layers takes place, 

 sacculations are to be found under the margins of the 

 wound; these extend in various directions, and wdiere 

 gravitation or pressure does not interfere, they are tilled 

 with blood. 



Where such w^ounds are not too deep, and conditions 

 make impracticable other and more elaborate treatment, 

 they may be cared for b}^ trimming away all macerated 

 tissue, controlling the hemorrhage, and further dressing 

 them as open wounds. 



Where such lacerations are deep and involve so uuich 



