DISEASES OF THE HOESE, 469 



exploration of the wound for an}^ remaining foreign substance, treat 

 with the flour and alum paste, bandages, etc., as for open joint. 

 Should the skin and tendons be divided the case is even more serious 

 and often, incurable. There is alwaj^s a large bed of granulations 

 (proud flesh) at the seat of injury, and a thickening more or less pro- 

 nounced remains. When the back tendons of the leg arc severed we 

 should apply at once a high-heel shoe (which is to be gradually lowered 

 as healing advances) and bandage firml}^ with a compress moistened 

 Avith a 10-grain chloride of zinc solution. When proud flesh appears 

 this is best kept under control by repeated applications of a red-hot 

 iron. Mares that are valuable as brood animals and stock horses should 

 always be treated for this injury, as, even though blemished, their 

 value is not seriously impaired. The length of time required and the 

 expense of treatment will cause us to hesitate in attempting a cure, if 

 the subject is old and comparatively valueless. 



GUNSHOT V/OUNDS. 



These wounds vary in size and character, depending on the size 

 and quality of the projectile and also the tissue injured. They are so 

 seldom met with in our animals that an extended reference to them 

 seems unnecessary. If a wound has been made hj a bullet a careful 

 examination should be made to ascertain if the ball has passed through 

 or ©ut of the body. If it has not we must then probe for the ball, and 

 if it can be located it is to be cut out when practicable to do so. Often- 

 times a ball may be so lodged that it can not be removed, and it then 

 may become encysted and remain for years without giving rise to any 

 inconvenience. It is often difBcult to locate a bullet, as it is very 

 readily deflected by resistances met with after entering the body. 



The entering wound is the size of the projectile, the edges are 

 inverted and often scorched. The wound produced in case of the 

 bullet's exit is larger than the projectile, the edges are turned out and 

 ragged. A bullet heated by the friction of the barrel or air often 

 softens and becomes flattened on striking a bone or other tissue. 

 Modern bullets that have an outer steel layer may pass through bone 

 without splintering it. Leaden bullets ma}^ split, producing two exit 

 wounds. Spent bullets may oul}" produce a bruise. Should bones be 

 struck b}' a^ ball the}" are sometimes shattered and splintered to such 

 an extent as to warrant us in having' the animal destroj^ed. A gun- 

 shot wound, when irreparable injury has not been done, is to be 

 treated the same as punctured wounds, ^. e., stop the hemorrhage, 

 remove the foreign body if possible, and appl}^ hot fomentations or 

 poultices to the wound until suppuration is fairly established. Anti- 

 septic and disinfectant injections may then be used. Should pus 

 accumulate in the tissues, openings must be made at the most depend- 

 ing parts for its escape. Wounds from shotguns fired close to the 



