436 WOUNDS. 



deep. We shall now proceed to apply these doctrines to a 

 consideration of the several subjects of wounds, ulcers, 

 tumours, inflammatory, indurated, and encysted ; and to that 

 inflammation, both healthy and diseased, which affects the 

 bones. 



CHAPTER XI. 



' WOUNDS. 



A WOUND is a division of some of the parts of the body ; 

 and as wounds frequently occur to all the animals, it be- 

 comes a matter of great importance for the veterinarian to 

 be equal to the management of them. A wound in any of 

 the animals subject to our care, should be treated accord- 

 ing to the nature of the injury, and the constitution of the 

 creature. When a body is hurt, it undergoes several states 

 before the part is again made whole : hemorrhage first 

 takes place, which if very considerable must be immediately 

 attended to. It is, however, to be remembered, that the 

 vital resources are so much greater in the horse, that the 

 division of an artery which in the human being would re- 

 quire pressure to arrest it, in the horse may be allowed to 

 remain unattended ; and that when nothing but taking up 

 a huQian artery can secure life, moderate pressure will be 

 sufficient in veterinary practice. When, however, a very 

 large artery is divided, a ligature of fine strong silk, or 

 small twine, should be passed around it. The next circum- 

 stance to attend to is, the removal of any extraneous matter 

 which may have got into the w^ound ; and if this can be 

 done without washing the cavity, the chances of early union 

 will be increased. But when dirt, dust, &c. render cleansing 

 of the injury absolutely necessary, tepid water is all that 

 is requisite. Powerfully stimulating applications are hurt- 

 ful, and always prevent an immediate union. We, on 

 the contrary, hope to gain a prompt junction by the 

 medium of the coagulable part of the serum which is poured 

 out in these cases ; and which junction is called union hy 

 the first intention. Modern surgery defines it to be brought 

 about by the vessels of both sides of the wound inosculating 

 with each other : the divided vessels, having first poured 



