176 INJURIES. 



large towns, and in the crowded streets of London, almost 

 forbid the attempt at description. Into the breast of one 

 runs the pole or shaft of some vehicle ; the wheels sadly 

 lacerate and contuse the side, hip, or shoulder of another; 

 while a third horse slips down, breaking its head, and cut- 

 ting open both its knees. 



The Hemorrhage, occurring from wounds of this de- 

 scription, is in general inconsiderable. Indeed, it is asto- 

 nishing to behold the extensive injuries which the body will 

 sustain without being followed by much bleeding, although 

 veins and arteries of the first magnitude be ruptured. The 

 carotid arteries have been plucked from the horse^s neck 

 without inducing fatal hemorrhage. In some countries 

 castration is accomplished by baring the testicles, and tear- 

 ing them by force from their vascular attachments, without 

 occasioning much bleeding. It would be easy to multiply 

 instances, but enough probably has been said to show that 

 lacerated wounds need not give much cause for apprehension 

 on the score of hemorrhage. 



Treatment of Lacerated Wounds.— -It seldom happens 

 that we can do much good by sutures ; indeed, constraints 

 are more likely to be productive of harm than benefit. The 

 wounded surface should first be cleansed from all extraneous 

 matters, and afterwards, if possible, enveloped in a poultice ; 

 when a poultice cannot be applied, the parts may be kept 

 covered with cloths wet with some lotion;^ the object being 

 to allay the consequent inflammation. We must watch for 

 the approach of sympathetic fever : in fact, when the mis- 

 chief done is extensive, we should at once take away blood. 

 Inordinate inflammation will be effectually checked by 

 fomentations properly persisted in ; the exposed surface will, 

 slough, after which granulations will appear, and the heal- 

 ing process proceed without interruption. 



Contused Wounds. — Bruises, though they do not divide 



parts, often do considerable mischief to their structure ; this 



is caused by their disturbing and loosening the cohesion of 



the component atoms, and occasionally producing internal 



' Refer back to the " Treatment of Inflammation." 



