TERMINATIONS OF INFLAMMATION. 75 



extravasated blood is generally removed by the absorbents. 

 Should the blood not be absorbed, it is found to operate 

 rather as a foreign body than one suited to become " part 

 of ourselves. The blood-vessels ooze forth the real aggluti- 

 nating medium, which is coagulable lymph ; the same 

 material is thrown out in the form of granulations. The 

 process of union is not completed until this intermediate 

 substance is organized — or furnished with blood-vessels and 

 nerves; an end brought about by the vessels and nerves 

 belonging to the parts divided being elongated through the 

 uniting material, and inosculating with the vessels of the 

 opposite sides. From the surface of a fresh wound, not more 

 than four hours are required to produce the coagulable 

 lymph; and, in a few hours after, it will possess vessels 

 capable of being injected. 



In human surgery, adhesion constitutes one of the hap- 

 piest resources of the surgeon : to it, in wounds of all sorts, 

 is the surgeon's attention directed, as being the most prompt, 

 safe, and effectual method of cure. And, indeed, so far as 

 its excellence is concerned, the veterinary surgeon has equal 

 reason to keep it steadfastly in view ; though, unfortunately, 

 when applied to practice, it is for the most part an unavail- 

 ing remedy. Could we stick straps of adhesive plaster 

 over a horse's wound, and, at the same time, persuade our 

 patient to keep the part in a state of repose, we should 

 derive quite as great advantages from this mode of union as 

 the human practitioner enjoys. But, unfortunately for us, 

 we are unable to accomplish either. Plaster will not adhere 

 to the hairy skin of the horse, unless this covering be shorn 

 off, and even then the bristles soon disturb it ; nor do we 

 possess any means of keeping our patient in that state of 

 quietude indispensably necessary to the well-doing of the 

 wound. In September following the publication of the first 

 edition, I was favoured by a communication from Mr. Walker, 

 M.P. for Wexford, • in which he informs me he has tried 

 glue spread upon linen with good effect. His method of 

 procedure is ingenious and well deserves attention. I shall 

 put it to the test. 



