222 THE practicp: of veterinary medicine. 



ing transversely is also, as a rule, of a more serious character, 

 causing more trouble, and occupying a longer period during 

 the healing process. 



Punctured wounds are such as are inflicted by means of a 

 sharp or blunt instrument, as a stick penetrating the soft 

 tissues, and may be caused in many ways, as by animals 

 running through brush heaps, jumping paling fences, etc. 

 This variety of wound is characterized by possessing a depth 

 greater in extent than its width. It is also of a more 

 dangerous character than an incised wound, and every 

 wound of this kind should be regarded with suspicion, as, 

 although the visible portions of the wound may appear 

 small and trivial, haemorrhage of a fatal character may be 

 taking place in its deeper portions, or an injury sufficient to 

 cause death may occur without any symptoms of the serious 

 character of the wound having been manifested at the time 

 of its reception. 



Lacerated wounds are those in which the soft tissues 

 are more or less torn. Not only the skin and areolar tissue, 

 but in many cases the muscles, are torn to a considerable 

 extent^ or may be partially cut and partially torn. Lacerated 

 wounds are usually caused by coming into contact v>'ith 

 some sharp body, or by a kick from another horse, running 

 into or through a barbed wire-fence, being very common in 

 localities where this fencing is much used. As a rule, 

 this class of wound is not attended with any serious 

 results. 



Contused wounds are commonly called bruises, and are 

 those wounds in which the skin is not injured to any con- 

 siderable extent, and in some cases is not even broken ; but 

 the deeper structures are more or less involved, and a cer- 

 tain amount of sanguineous effusion takes place. A good 

 example of a contused wound is ' speedy-cut.' The part 

 being struck, more or less extravasation of blood takes place, 



