510 WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. 



moist warmth is used to assist dispersal. Disinfectants, conjoined 

 with the other applications, will check infection and pus formation. 

 Where this has already occurred, early opening is advisable ; indeed, 

 the sooner this is done the sooner will the swelling disappear, but 

 care must be exercised in diagnosis. Owing to the strains thrown 

 on the abdominal muscles in working animals the parts are more 

 liable to tear and produce hernise, and therefore rest is essential in 

 such cases. Chronic abscesses are best opened as soon as it is clear 

 that no hernia is present, and that incision can be made without 

 fear of severe bleeding. 



II.— WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. 



Wounds of the abdominal parietes may, from a clinical stand- 

 point, be thus divided : — 



(a) Surface wounds ; those that do not divide the abdominal 



walls. 



(b) Penetrating wounds, extending to or dividing the parietal 



peritoneum. 



(c) Abdominal wounds, with prolapse of internal organs. 

 (<-/) Abdominal wounds, with injury to internal organs. 



(a) Surface wounds, if not of great extent, and not likely to be 

 followed by further laceration of the abdominal walls, merely require 

 to be kept clean, and are treated on antiseptic principles. A tar 

 plaster is sometimes useful. Bandages are difficult to retain in position, 

 and can generally be dispensed with. Clean straw must be provided 

 for bedding. Where the wound discharges freely, it is dressed with 

 disinfecting fluids. Such wounds generally heal well if freely dressed 

 with iodoform-tannin or glutol. If infection or suppuration extends, 

 counter-openings, drains, or setons are resorted to. Where the walls 

 are extensively lacerated, and further laceration is possible, the 

 wound should be carefully sutured, and supported with a bandage. 

 Strong and deeply-inserted stitches are required, pin sutures may 

 be necessary, and complete rest should be prescribed. Suppuration 

 sometimes occurs between the abdominal muscles. This condition 

 is treated in the same way as sinus-formation in the thoracic region. 



(b) Penetrating wounds are usually caused by thrusts with the 

 horns, by sharp instruments like stable-forks, lances, bayonets, 

 knives, or scissors, by gun-shots, by injuries from leaping over hedges 

 or fences, or by falling on sharp objects, as harrows, spurs, &c. 

 The bites of dogs may also penetrate the peritoneal cavity. The 

 perforating character of the wound can sometimes be determined 



