ABDOMINAL WOUNDS OF ANIMALS 163 



was the direct result of an insufficient length of time 

 being alloAved for complete repair to have taken place 

 before putting the animal in service. 



Wounds With Eventration and Without Visceral 

 Perforation 



Wpunds with eventration and without visceral per- 

 foration occur in all animals, the result of direct in- 

 juries of various kinds. The agent inflicting such in- 

 juries is not sharp enough to perforate viscera imme- 

 diately upon coming in contact with them, even though 

 driven with great force. This tj^pe of wound occurs in 

 horses that are gored by bovines, or become impaled 

 upon upright posts or implements of various kinds. The 

 writer has observed fatal eventration in the horse where 

 a rent at least eight inches in length was inflicted by a 

 Jersey cow's horn. Where much of the intestine pro- 

 trudes it is likely to become injured beyond repair, un- 

 less it is given immediate protection in some manner 

 until reposition is effected. Even though successful 

 reposition of the intestine is effected, there is danger 

 of peritonitis, and considerable shock always attends in- 

 juries of this kind. Where such w^ounds involve the 

 floor of the abdomen there is likelihood of hernia re- 

 sulting unless it is possible to securely approximate the 

 wound margins. 



Treatment consists first, in protection of the exposed 

 viscera and appropriate confinement of the subject. 

 After thoroughly cleansing the visceral organs, reposi- 

 tion is attempted. In the large animals, if there is much 

 struggling or straining, complete narcosis is needed. 

 Reinforcement and protection of the wound with dress- 

 ings and bandages is helpful in small animals, and may 



