ABDOMINAL WOUNDS. 243 



but to order the immediate destruction of the patient. The 

 bowels should be kept in as complete a state of rest as pos- 

 sible ; if constipation is present, it may in most cases be 

 effectually relieved by enemas of tepid water, purgatives 

 of any and all kinds being totally inadmissible. The diet 

 should be light in quantity and nature, and of an easily 

 digestible and laxative character. Any untoward symp- 

 toms which may arise are to be combated according to the 

 indications. 



Abscesses. — Abscesses occasionally occur in the abdominal 

 region, and arise from the same causes as when occurring 

 in other parts, as bruises, etc., and sometimes irregular 

 strangles manifests itself in this region by the formation of 

 one or more abscesses. 



Treatment. — Open up as in any other part, and allow the 

 pus to escape. Care must be observed, as rupture may exist 

 in connection with the abscess, or a bowel may be cut and 

 cause death. 



BURNS AND SCALDS. 



These may be slight, so as to cause only a slightly 

 reddened condition of the skin, or may be so severe as 

 to cause well-marked constitutional disturbance, great irri- 

 tative fever, and death from pain and exhaustion. In 

 the former case, where a reddened condition of the skin is 

 produced, the deeper structures being left intact, the pain 

 and irritation soon subside ; this is followed by desquama- 

 tion of the epidermis, and the parts become restored to their 

 normal condition. The effect of a burn slightly more 

 severe than that just described is to cause vesication, or a 

 separation of the superficial from the deeper layer of the 

 skin, the intervening space being filled with a serous exuda- 

 tion. A burn of the third degree of severity is that in 

 which the integument, or rather the injured portion of it, 



16—2 



