WOUNDS.] 



THE HOESE, AXD 



[wounds. 



There must be a small quantity of stagnant 

 blood, just witbiu the extremity of the artery ; 

 but this does not, in every instance, imme- 

 diately form a coagulum capable of filling up 

 the canal of the artery. In most cases, only 

 a slender coagulum is formed at first, which 

 gradually becomes larger by successive addi- 

 tions. This coagulum is always at first of a 

 tapering form, with it," base at the extremity 

 of the artery. But its formation is not mate- 

 rial ; for, soon after tlie ligature has been 

 applied, the end of the artery inflames, and 

 the wounded internal surface of its canal 

 being kept in close contact by the ligature, 

 adheres, and converts this portion of the 

 artery into an impervious, and, at first, conical 

 sac. It is to the effused lymph, that the base 

 of the coagulum adheres, when found to be 

 adherent. Lymph is also efi'used between 

 the coats of the artery, and among the parts 

 surrounding its extremity. In a little time 

 the ligature makes the part, on which it is 

 directly applied, ulcerate, and, acting as a 

 tent, a small aperture is formed in the layer of 

 lymph effused over the artery. Through this 

 aperture, as long as the ligature remains, a 

 small quantity of pus is discharged; and 

 finally, the ligature itself escapes, and the 

 little cavity, which it has occasioned, granu- 

 lates, and fills up. Tlie external wound then 

 heals, leaving the cellular substance, a little 

 beyond the end of the artery, somewhat 

 thickened and indurated ; but, if it should be 

 in a situation where a bandage can be applied, 

 it ultimately becomes absorbed. 



As all styptics are not to be depended on, 

 the judicious practitioner will seldom apply 

 them, as they generally tend to irritate, and 

 rarely do good. They are sometimes, how- 

 ever, proper to be applied to diseased surfaces, 

 where the vessels seem to have lost their natu- 

 ral power, or disposition to contract or draw 

 themselves together again. 



Firing, or the actual cautery, is an excellent 

 styptic to stop the bleeding of an artery, as 

 in docking, castration, &c. It is generally re- 

 sorted to as the safest styptic iu operations of 

 feslulous withers, and iu dissecting out fungus 

 fli'.-h, where there is a number of small arteries 

 w liich are apt to be wounded. The actual cau- 

 tery is the only means that here can be em- 

 ployed with any good effect. In these cases 

 212 



the horse's body should be kept open with 

 alterative medicines; such as the foUowino': — 



Cape Aloes 2 drachms. 



Sulphur 3 do. 



Form into a ball with soft soap. 

 Give one occasionally, and feed with half bran 

 and half oats made damp. 



WOUNDS OF THE VEINS. 

 "Wounds of the veins are generally produced 

 by incautiousness in blood-letting ; and al- 

 though this operation is performed by some of 

 the greatest bunglers that possibly could take 

 a phleme and blood-stick in hand, yet it is fre- 

 quently so dexterously done, that no evil 

 effects spring from it. Still, it does happen 

 even with the most experienced practitioner, 

 either from inattention in pinning up the ori- 

 fice, drawing the skin a considerable way out, 

 or not adjusting the lip of tlie wound equally 

 together, that blood becomes extravasated into 

 the surrounding cellular membrane. This, 

 however, may sometimes arise from the foul 

 constitution of the horse, when every little 

 scratch or wound has a tendency to inflame 

 and suppurate. "Where this is the case, apply 

 the following: — 



Sal-ammoniac . , . . . , 1 oz. 

 Extract of Saturn -^ do- 

 Vinegar 1 pint. 



"SVater 1 do. 



Shake these well together in a bottle, and 

 apply frequently during the day. If absorp- 

 tion takes place, and the parts regain their 

 former appearance, all is well ; but if the 

 tumour suppurates, and on pressing the part 

 a fluctuation is felt, a depending opening 

 should be made, or a seton introduced tlirough 

 it. If inflammation should rise from the vein 

 itself, it must spring from the use of rusty or 

 unclean phlemes ; but the probability is, that 

 it has been punctured through, in cousequeuae 

 of driving the phleme with too great violence 

 in the act of bleeding. It also sometimes 

 arises from the horse being suftered to have his 

 head at liberty immediately after bleeding, in- 

 stead of being tied up for at least two or three 

 hours; the pin causing irritation, the horse 

 is inclined to rub against anything that is in 

 his way, such as the edge of the manger, &c. 

 Sometimes this morbid action arises from the 

 constitution. "When this ia the case, it begins 



