106 The Aihnents of Horses. 



frequently those about the mouth. ^luch 

 depends upon circumstances. Wounds 

 may be either accidentally or artificially 

 inflicted. 



When a bone is fractured, in addition 

 to the wound, the oravity of the injury 

 is proportionately increased. The same 

 may be said when an artery is wounded. 

 Depreciation of value usually results from 

 an injury to the knee (wrist in man), 

 usually spoken of as " broken-knee." 



Treatment. — Superficial wounds can 

 be painted with a solution of gutta-percha 

 or else friar's balsam. 



Slight injuries to the knee can be treated 

 in the same manner. When the wound 

 is about the eyelids, nose, cheek, &c., it 

 ought to be carefully stitched up. 



A curved needle is the most suitable 

 for this purpose, and it should be threaded 

 with silver wire or cat-gut, &c. 



The stitches must be taken separately, 

 i.e., interrupted. If wire is used it should 

 be thin, especially if the injury is upon 

 the eyelids. Further, the stitches must 

 not be drawn too tightly together, but a 

 sufficient " grip " must be taken. In this 

 way a wound can, if neatly sewn up, often 

 be got to heal straight away. Never sew 

 up a wound upon the surface of a joint, 

 e.,(/.,knee or hock. The stitches are almost 

 certain to be torn out wiien the animal 

 flexes or extends the same. 



Deep wounds upon the buttocks, &c., 

 require button sutures, i.e., flat pieces of 

 metal (notched) to fix the threads to, so 

 that the tension is exercised upon the 



