800 WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE FORE-ARM. 



thick layers of wadding or wood-wool applied to the posterior surface 

 of the elbow to prevent further bruising when the animal lies down. 

 When healing by first intention is impossible, the wound must be 

 treated on general principles. A soft bed is particularly requisite. 

 Remnants of the bursa, which remain after enucleation, may be 

 destroyed by irritants like nitrate of silver, and a proper granulating 

 surface so produced. 



VI.— WOUNDS AND BRUISES OF THE FORE-ARM. 



In the horse, the fore-arm (antibrachium) has. as a basis, the radius 

 and ulna, which are surrounded by numerous muscles, tendons, and fasciae. 

 The following surface-markings should be noted : — Towards the outside 

 at the lower extremity a depression, slightly inclined backwards, and 

 marked in its centre by a prominent cord, the tendon of the extensor 

 suffraginis. Behind this depression lies the flexor metaearpi externus. 

 which is bounded behind by the flexor metaearpi medius. In front of 

 the extensor suffraginis runs another cord about an inch in breadth, the 

 tendon of the extensor pedis. Towards the front of the limb, and at the 

 boundary of the external and anterior faces, another depression, and still 

 further inward, the tendon of the extensor metaearpi magnus. 



The inner surface of the fore- arm shows another depression, at the 

 bottom of which can be felt the radius, here only covered by skin and fascia. 

 Behind it lies the flexor metaearpi interims, readily felt below the skin ; 

 in front of this furrow, the bone is margined by the extensor metaearpi 

 magnus. Between the two depressions, and quite clearly visible, runs the 

 internal subcutaneous or radial vein. 



Two fasciae cover the fore-arm. a thin superficial and a deeper, better 

 developed layer, the fascia antibrachialis, which arises from the various 

 muscles of the humerus and shoulder, is attached partly to the subcutaneous 

 portions of the radius, partly becomes continuous with the tendons of the 

 extensors and flexors, and partly extends to the ligaments of the knee. 

 Between the skin and fasciae pass the thin cutaneous nerves ; those on the 

 posterior surface of the fore- arm rising from the ulnar nerve, those on the 

 exterior from the radial nerve, and those on tbe anterior partly from the 

 median. 



Vertical wounds confined to the skin of the fore-arm are of no 

 particular consequence, but horizontal wounds are more apt to cause 

 trouble on account of their gaping. If carefully disinfected, primary 

 union may result from applying a proper dressing, which, however, 

 is more difficult in large than in small animals. 



Injury of the muscles of the fore-arm is frequently followed by 

 infiltration of pus beneath the fasciae and other dangers, for which 

 reason such wounds must be dressed antiseptically or freely laid 

 open. Sometimes counter-openings or drams are useful, especially 

 in penetrating infected wounds accompanied by much swelling and 

 pain. Fever is a particularly dangerous symptom. 



