164 WOUND TREATMENT 



be of some advantage in the large animals. However, 

 where such wounds are kept covered they remain moist, 

 and are prone to suppurate unless frequently redressed. 



Penetrant Wounds With Visceral Perforations 



Visceral perforation occurs occasionally in any of the 

 domestic animals and is the result of gunshot wounds, 

 thrusts with sharp implements of any sort, or where ani- 

 mals become impaled upon sharp projecting bodies. In 

 the smaller animals tooth wounds sometimes penetrate 

 the intestine. 



Where the perforation is large in animals that resist 

 manipulation of the peritoneum, it is possible to close 

 the intestinal wound by means of bowel anastomosis or 

 by approximation of its margins with sutures. Spon- 

 taneous marginal adhesion of serous membranes with the 

 production of fecal fistulse is not of uncommon occur- 

 rence. 



Where small puncture wounds involve the bowel in 

 numerous places, allowing the escape of intestinal con- 

 tents into the peritoneal cavity, there is no effectual 

 means of intervention except such as occasions laparot- 

 omy ; therefore the repair of this form of injury is often 

 impracticable. 



