ULCERATION. 53 



VARIETIES AND TREATMENT OF ULCERS. 



An ulcer is defined to be a solution of continuity caused by 

 ulceration, and its varieties in Veterinary Surgery may be 

 arranged under six heads. 1st. Healthy ulcer ; 2d. Weak ulcer ; 

 3d. Indolent ulcer; 4:th. Inflamed ulcer; 5tli. Gangrenous or 

 phagedenic, or sloughing ulcer ; and 6th. Specific ulcer. 



1st. The healthy ulcer is smooth at its edges, which are 

 neither everted nor inverted, adherent to the granulations, and 

 when they rise to a level with the skin, a film or cicatrix is 

 formed like a semi-transparent ring round the edges, and 

 gradually spreads over the wound. The granulations are small, 

 firm, numerous, and of a fine florid colour, pointed at their tops, 

 and discharging a thick laudable pus. 



But little treatment is required for this kind of ulcer, beyond 

 rest and cleanliness. 



2d. The weak ulcer. The granulations are pale, large, flabby, 

 not pointed, but even bulbous at their tops, less vascular, and 

 less apt to bleed on being touched than those of the healthy 

 ulcer; they are unattended with pain, rise above the level of 

 the skin, so that the margins of the ulcer are hid from view. 

 The discharge is thin, pale, and watery. 



This kind of ulcer is caused by some debilitating local or 

 general influence. It is often found in the hind legs of low- 

 bred animals, and arises in them from the venous congestion 

 and dropsical effusion, which are so often met with in round- 

 legged cart liorses. It is associated perhaps with some con- 

 stitutional weakness, arising from bad food, or other cause of 

 general debility. Healthy ulcers, when improperly treated, are 

 aj)t to degenerate to this form. 



The treatment ought to consist of some mild astringent 

 dressing, as the solution of sulphate of zinc or of copper, the 

 periodical use of the nitrate of silver — say, every three days, if 

 thought requisite — and the careful application of a bandagei 

 both to the ulcer and to its neighbourhood, in order to stimulate 

 the granulations and to correct the tendency to congestion. 

 The general system is to be corrected by a gentle purgative, 

 succeeded by tonics and diuretics ; at the same time the 

 strength is to be kept up by good, nourishing, but easily 

 digestible food, dry food being preferable- to moist. The patient 



