WOUNDS OF THE INTESTINES 189 



laparotomy is performed, and the cavity most thoroughly 

 inspected. Other organs in the abdominal cavity may also be 

 injured by the causes mentioned. The symptoms produced by 

 punctured wounds depend very largely upon the extent of in- 

 jury to the intestines or other organs. Gunshot wounds when 

 of small caliber will not produce any very marked symptoms 

 other than tenderness over the abdomen. Healing may follow 

 readily. Small wounds may not penetrate farther than the 

 mucosa which may pouch outward through the opening and 

 prevent the escape of the intestinal contents. Later adhesions 

 take place preventing septic peritonitis. Larger wounds, 

 however, usually prove fatal under symptoms of collapse 

 from hemorrhage or septic peritonitis, unless an accurate 

 diagnosis is made and the proper treatment immediately 

 applied. When punctured wounds are observed, the animal's 

 general condition should be noted at once. Avoid the use of 

 probes owing to the danger of carrying infection into the 

 cavity. 



Treatment. The first indication in the treatment of intes- 

 tinal wounds is to perform laparotomy (see Laparotomy) 

 as early as possible. A generous incision should be made in 

 the median line to allow a complete and thorough examina- 

 tion of the entire intestinal tract and other organs. The 

 intestine should be thoroughly examined the entire length, 

 and any wounds found closed with Lembert sutures. If the 

 wound is extensive, as a rupture of the bowel, it should be 

 closed as in enterotomy. In some cases where the bowel 

 wall becomes torn or has an uneven surface, a portion should 

 be removed. (See Enterectomy.) 



The organs should also be inspected and any wounds in 

 them sutured. 



The abdominal cavity should be thoroughly irrigated with 

 a boric acid solution (2 per cent.), or normal salt solution, 

 especially in those cases where intestinal contents have 

 escaped or blood is present. 



Should the animal be weak from loss of blood, stimulants 

 should be given, such as strychnin sulphate (0.001) repeated 

 as often as necessary. 



