DISEASES OF HORSES 179 



held in place by bandages. Internal treatment is also indicated in 

 those cases of open joints where the suffering is great. At first we 

 should administer a light physic and follow this up with sedatives 

 and anodynes, as directed for contused wounds. Later, however, we 

 should give quinine, or salicylic acid in 1-dram doses two or three 

 times a day. 



WOUNDS OF THE TENDON SHEATHS. 



Wounds of tendon sheaths are similar to open joints in that 

 there is an escape of synovial fluid, sinew water. Where the tendons 

 are simply punctured by a thorn, nail, or fork, we must, after a 

 thorough exploration of the wound for any remaining foreign sub- 

 stance, treat with the flour-and-alum paste, bandages, etc., as for open 

 joint. Should the skin and tendons be divided the case is even more 

 serious and often incurable. There is always a large bed of proud 

 flesh at the seat of injury, and a thickening more or less pronounced 

 remains. When the back tendons of the leg are severed we should 

 apply at once a high-heel shoe (which is to be gradually lowered 

 as healing advances) and bandage firmly with a compress moistened 

 with a 10-gram chloride of zinc solution. When proud flesh ap- 

 pears this is best kept under control by repeated applications of a 

 red-hot iron. Mares that are valuable as brood animals and stock 

 horses should always be treated for this injury, as, even though 

 blemished, their value is not seriously impaired. The length of time 

 required and the expense of treatment will cause us to hesitate in 

 attempting a cure, if the subject is old and comparatively valueless. 



GUNSHOT WOUNDS. 



These wounds vary in size and character, depending on the size 

 and quality of the projectile and also the tissue injured. They are 

 so seldom met with in our animals that an extended reference to 

 them seems unnecessary. If a wound has been made by a bullet a 

 careful examination should be made to ascertain if the ball has passed 

 through or out of the body. If it has not we must then probe for 

 the ball, and if it can be located it is to be cut out when practicable 

 to do so. Oftentimes a ball may be so lodged that it can not be re- 

 moved, and it then may become encysted and remain for years with- 

 out giving rise to any inconvenience. It is often difficult to locate 

 a bullet, as it is very readily deflected by resistances met with after 

 entering the body. 



The entering wound is the size of the projectile, the edges are 

 inverted and often scorched. The wound produced in case of the 

 bullet's exit is larger than the projectile, the edges are turned put and 

 ragged. A bullet heated by the friction of the barrel or air often 

 softens and becomes flattened on striking a bone or other tissue. 

 Modern bullets that have an outer steel layer may pass through bone 

 without splintering it. Leaden bullets may split, producing two exit 

 wounds. Spent bullets may only produce a 'bruise. Should bones 

 be struck by a ball they are sometimes shattered and splintered to 

 such an extent as to warrant us in having the animal destroyed. A 

 gunshot wound, when irreparable injury has not been done, is to be 

 treated the same as punctured wounds, i. e., stop the hemorrhage, 



