WOUNDS AND BRUISES OP THE FORE-ARM. 801 



The edges of horizontal muscular wounds are apt to gape 

 excessively. The animals generally walk lame, though able to stand 

 on the limb, especially when the chief seat of injury is in the extensor 

 muscles. Gaping of the wound and contraction in the divided muscles 

 alike impede union ; and as, in large wounds, the skin soon retracts, 

 it is best, even when asepsis seems out of the question, to suture 

 such wounds as soon as possible. Sterilised tape about I of an inch 

 broad forms a good suture material, and an attempt should be made 

 to fix the skin and prevent it retracting. By passing the suture 

 through the bodies of the muscles a better hold is ensured, and 

 there is less chance of their tearing out, whilst the tapes may be 

 used for fastening on a dressing. Any tendency to excessive 

 granulation must be repressed early by using astringents and dry 

 dressings. 



Bruises of the muscular tissue and fascia? of the fore-arm, 

 commonest in cart-horses and caused by kicks or blows, are easily 

 recognised by the pain, swelling, and difficulty in that phase of 

 movement when the limb is carried. Resolution generally occurs 

 and lameness disappears in eight to fourteen days. In other cases 

 abscesses form, and should immediately be incised to allow free 

 exit of pus, which may otherwise burrow and cause necrosis of the 

 fascia? of the fore-arm ; extensive counter-openings are therefore 

 at times necessary. The radius is sometimes injured just above the 

 knee. In this case also it is important to provide for drainage, 

 either by counter-incision or drainage-tubes. Slight swelling with 

 great pain points to disease of the bone (periostitis or necrosis), a 

 complication which may occur at any time before pus formation 

 has completely ceased. 



In horses, the inner surface of the elbow-joint may be injured 

 by straddling across bales, poles, or similar objects. The pain is 

 often so acute that the animals are unable to place weight on the 

 limb. In these cases the median nerve is bruised ; and although 

 the effect of the injury may only last a few minutes, it may also 

 continue for a couple of days. The pathognomonic symptom is 

 insensibility below the elbow-joint, especially at the posterior surface 

 of the limb. The affection soon disappears. 



Bassi in a mule saw movements of the left fore-foot simulating 

 stringhalt. The front foot was lifted unusually high, and the 

 animal often stumbled ; the symptoms were particularly noticeable 

 when the animal moved backwards. On the external surface of 

 the fore-arm, just below the elbow, was a thickening, the result of 

 a fall ; it was not inflamed, and had existed for some weeks. The 



R.S. 3 F 



