464 BUREAU OF AI^IMAL INDUSTRY. 



object, as where a horse runs against fences, board piles, the corners 

 of buildings, or where he is struck hj the pole or shafts of another 

 team, falling on rough irregular stones, etc. 



Contused wounds are caused by blunt instruments moving with suf- 

 ficient velocity to bruise and crush the tissues, as running against 

 objects, kicks, or falling on large, hard masses. 



Treatment. — In lacerated wounds great care must at first be exer- 

 cised in examining or probing to the ver}^ bottom of the rent or tear, 

 to see if an}^ foreign body be present. Ver}' often splinters of wood 

 or bits of stone or dirt are thus lodged, and unless removed prevent 

 the wound from healing; or if it should heal the wound soon opens 

 again, discharging a thin, gluey matter that is characteristic of the 

 presence of some object in the parts. After a thorough exploration 

 these wounds are to be carefully and patiently fomented with Avarm 

 water, to which has been added carbolic acid in the proportion of 1 

 part to 100 of water. Rarely, if ever, are stitches to be inserted in 

 lacerated wounds. The surrounding tissues and skin are so weakened 

 in vitality and structure by the contusions that stitches will not hold; 

 they onl}^ irritate the parts. It is better to endeavor to secure coap- 

 tation by means of bandages, plasters, or collodion. One essential in 

 the treatment of lacerated wounds is to secure a free exit for the pus. 

 If the orifice of the wound is too high, or if pus is found to be bur- 

 rowing in the tissues beneath the opening, we must then make a 

 counter opening as low as possible. This will admit of the wound 

 being thoroughly washed out, at first with warm water, and afterwards 

 injected with some mild astringent and antiseptic wash, as chloride of 

 zinc, 1 dram to a pint of water. A dependant opening must be main- 

 tained until the wound ceases to discharge. Repeated hot fomenta- 

 tions over the region of lacerated wounds afford much relief and should 

 be persisted in. 



Bruises are nothing but contused wounds, where the skin has not 

 been ruptured. There is often considerable solution of continuity of 

 the parts under the skin, subcutaneous hemorrhage, etc.; which may 

 result in local death (mortification) and slough of the bruised parts. If 

 the bruise or contusion is not so severe, many cases are quickly cured 

 by constant fomentation with hot water for from two to four hours. 

 The water should be allowed about this time to gradually become cool 

 and then cold. Cold fomentation must then be kept up for another 

 hour or two. Dry the parts thoroughl}" and quickly, and bathe them 

 freely with camphor 1 ounce, sweet oil 8 ounces, or with equal parts 

 of lead water and laudanum. A dry^, light bandage should then be 

 applied, the horse allowed to rest, and if necessary the treatment may 

 be repeated each da}^ for two or three days. If, however, the wound 



