194 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



CHAPTER X. 

 ACCIDENTS. 



WOUNDS FROM STUBS, STAKES, ETC. 



In all cases of wounds from stubs, stakes, iron or 

 wooden spikes, and other materials with blunt edges, 

 laceration of membranes, blood-vessels, &c, must take 

 place ; and, therefore, the object must be to avoid an 

 immediate closing or healing of the lips of the wound, 

 or, as it is termed, ( union by first intention.' 



In all cases of lacerated or torn vessels, suppuration 

 is unavoidable ; but because it is unavoidable it is not 

 altogether desirable that it should be promoted, because 

 it may assume dimensions at once unnecessary and 

 dangerous. 



If the wound be larger than a free egress for the 

 haemorrhage seems to warrant, one or two sutures or 

 stitches should be made in the wound. The use of 

 sutures is especially desirable where the skin is torn 

 back in large flaps, as is often the case in wounds 

 under the chest and abdomen ; for which the inter- 

 rupted suture or single stitch tied is the most . con- 

 venient method ; since, if the aperture of the wound 

 be not large enough, it may be enlarged by cutting one 

 of the stitches, without in any way disturbing the 



