622 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



If the puncture has penetrated to the underlying bone, the 

 best plan is to clean the wound thoroughly with a syringe and 

 then to take a whalebone probe, wrap it round with tow soaked 

 in a strong solution of perchloride of mercury in water, and 

 then work the probe about in the wound, until every part has 

 been well acted upon by that strong caustic. This salt may 

 be obtained in fine powder, and when mixed with flour may be 

 applied to the wound. It acts not only as a strong antiseptic, 

 but also by uniting chemically with the albumen contained in 

 the joint-oil. This salt is a deadly poison even in infinitesimal 

 doses, and must, therefore, be always employed with extreme 

 prudence and care. 



The bone may sometimes decay and become loose, and the 

 disjointed fragments should then be removed by the help of a 

 forceps. Some recommend the use of the milder caustic, nitrate 

 of silver; but the salt above mentioned is more efficacious. 

 Readers must, however, remember that it is a deadly poison. 

 The veterinary surgeon will, perhaps, sometimes use the actual 

 cautery itself, the hot iron being applied to the wound at once, 

 wherefrom such an amount of inflammation may ensue as will 

 lead to its closing up. Should it be the foot which is punctured, 

 poultices may be employed with advantage, and if pus is present, 

 it must be got rid of. If pieces of bone are set free, they should 

 be immediately removed, and an antiseptic lotion should be 

 injected. 



Wounds are spoken of as contused or bruised when the 

 tissues around the wound have been much bruised, as when the 

 wound has resulted from kicks, blows, heavy falls on the ground, 

 or into ditches. Sloughing not unfrequently follows, and there 

 may be internal haemorrhage of a dangerous character. In 

 oases of severe bruises, warm fomentations and cooling lotions 

 may be highly serviceable. 



We now have to say a very few words respecting the subject of 

 wounds in sheep. In point of fact, wouuds are to be treated on 

 much the same lines in the case of all kinds of animals. Of 

 necessity it cannot be a very important thing that a sheep which 

 is badly wounded should be kept alive. In the general way, 

 slaughter is to be recommended. Nevertheless, in certain cases 

 it may be found advisable to treat wounds in sheep, and the 

 great thing is to remember that bleeding must if possible be 



