618 THE DISEASES AND DiSORDBRS OF THE OX. 



on) in close relation with it, may be more or less deeply wounded^ 

 bones may be broken, internal structures and organs may be 

 damaged, ligaments and tendons may be sprained, and finally 

 the various joints may be actually dislocated or injured in other 

 ways. For instance, if a wound has penetrated deeply into the 

 three most important parts, viz. the cavities of the skull, of the 

 abdomen, or of the chest, the most serious complications, and in 

 many cases even death, may be anticipated. 



Now, it is well to make some sort of classification of wounds^ 

 for arrangement facilitates description, even though it be at 

 times something arbitrary. Wounds, then, may be spoken of 

 as incised, as when made with a sharp, clean-cutting instru- 

 ment ; lacerated, or torn, as may result from efforts to escape 

 from fencing or other obstacles when entangled in them ; and 

 contused, or bruised, as may result from heavy blows or falls. 

 Moreover, wounds may be produced by fire-arms, and they may be 

 poisoned, for instance, by infection or contagion, or by a snake 

 or a mad dog. 



Incised wounds are simple clean-cut sections through the skin 

 and muscles, or other underlying structures. They may be 

 brought about by sharp instruments of diff'erent kinds. Incised 

 wounds, though seldom met with in cattle-practice, are dan- 

 gerous when they do occur, since they are generally associated 

 with profuse bleeding, the clean-cut vessels not being so likely 

 to close as the roughened ends of arteries and veins that have 

 been torn asunder. 



Wounds are said to be lacerated when the surfaces of the 

 wound are irregularly torn, as may result from violent blows, or 

 contact with hooks or sharply-barbed wire, or from kicks, bites, 

 or attacks with the horns of other cattle. Sometimes these 

 lacerated wounds are very severe in character, but fortunately 

 they do not as a rule bleed very much. 



Now, as to the treatment of incised and lacerated wounds, it 

 is first to be remarked that wounds, when small, may unite 

 directly (first intention) ; but in the case of larger and more 

 serious injuries sometimes suppuration of an extensive nature 

 may supervene. When the bleeding is severe, measures must at 

 once be taken to arrest it. Sometimes even the application of 

 cold water may be sufficient for this purpose j but it is very 

 often necessary to tie the vessels. Styptic applications, and 



