162 WOUND TREATMENT 



serve very well. Reinforcing sutures in the skin and sub- 

 cutem are useful in some cases. This method of suturing 

 is applicable in all cases where coaptation is attempted. 

 Some suppuration occurs in the majority of cases, and 

 drainage should be provided for by means of a tube or 

 by inserting at some pendent part of the wound a suture 

 that is readily removed. After-care consists in keeping 

 the parts clean and restricting exercise. Plenty of time 

 should be allow^ed that complete repair may take place, 

 else hernia is likely to occur even three or four months 

 after the wound has completely healed. The parts may 

 be supported by means of heavy bandage material during 

 the process of treatment, but it is doubtful if this is of 

 real service if the wound has been properly sutured. In 

 large animals wounds so treated are completely united 

 within thirty days unless swelling persists and consider- 

 able necrosis results. 



A lacerated wound of the abdominal wall in a mule, 

 the result of a kick with a sharp calked shoe, was treated 

 at the Kansas City Veterinary College in January, 1911. 

 The injury was located in the right lower abdominal re- 

 gion about eight inches from the median line and twelve 

 inches anterior to the pubic brim. All of the structures 

 except the peritoneum were lacerated. The wound ex- 

 tended almost at a right angle from the spinal axis, and 

 was about five inches in length. Much dirt and filth had 

 been carried into the depths of the w^ound, and there was 

 extensive maceration of tissue. 



The animal was placed upon an operating table and 

 the wound treated as just outlined. Union of the parts 

 had taken place in about three weeks, and the patient 

 was then dismissed from the hospital. She was put to 

 heavy work at a grading camp, and a hernia resulted. 

 However, this did not interfere with her usefulness, but 



