WOUNDS AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



By Cn. B. Michener, V. S. . 



[Revised in 1903 by John R. Mohlcr, V. M. D., A. M.] 



DESCRIPTION OF WOUNDS. 



A wound is an injurj^ to anj^ part of the body, involving a solu- 

 tion of continuity or disruption of the affected parts and is caused, by 

 violence, with or without laceration of the skin. In accordance with 

 this definition we have the following varieties of wounds: Incised, 

 punctured, contused, lacerated, gunshot, and poisoned. They may 

 further be classified as superficial, deep, or penetrating, and also as 

 unclean, if hair, dirt, or splinters of wood are present; as infected, 

 when contaminated with germs; and as aseptic, if the wound does not 

 contain germs. 



An incised wound is a simple cut made with a sharp body, like a 

 knife, producing merely a division of the tissues. The duller the bod}'', 

 the more force is required, the more tissues destroyed, and a greater 

 time will be required for healing. In a cut wound the edges are even 

 and definite, while those of a lacerated wound are irregular and torn. 

 Three conditions are present as a result of an incised wound: (1) Pain, 

 (2) hemorrhage, (3) gaping of the wound. The first pain is due to the 

 crushing and tearing of the nerve fibers. In using a sharp knife and by 

 cutting quickly, the animal suffers less pain and healing occurs more 

 rapidly. The secondary pain is usuall}^ due to the action of the air 

 and inflammatory processes. When air is kept from the wound pain 

 ceases soon after the lesion is produced. Hemorrhage is absent only 

 in wounds of nonvascular tissues, as the cornea of the eye, the carti- 

 lage of joints, and other similar structures. Bleeding may be from 

 the arteries, veins, or capillaries. In the latter form of bleeding the 

 blood oozes from the part in drops. Hemorrhage from the veins is 

 dark red and issues in a steadj^ stream without spurting. In arterial 

 bleeding the blood is bright red and spurts with each heart beat. This 

 latter variety of hemorrhage is the most dangerous, and should be 

 stopped at once before attempting any further treatment. Bleeding 

 from small veins and capillaries ceases in a short time spontaneoush^, 

 while larger vessels, especiall}^ arteries, require some form of treat- 

 ment to cause complete stoppage of the hemorrhage. 



459 



