440 WOUNDS. 



The cicatrix also becomes hard and Hgamentous when fully- 

 formed, though at first it is thin, very vascular, and highly 

 sensitive. The skin, however, once destroyed, hair is never 

 reproduced ; although the scar contracting with time, may 

 draw the separated parts close together, and thus conceal 

 the injury. In the process of forming granulations, the 

 wound should be kept from exposure. Many applications 

 are supposed to promote a formation of granulations ; but 

 all of these are quite unnecessary. In other cases luxuriant 

 granulations, as they are termed, shoot up ; when these little 

 bodies rise above the surface, they demand the use of some 

 substance which can reduce their exuberant height. The 

 wound will never heal while they remain so high ; on the 

 contrary, it frequently enlarges : for the pressure the luxu- 

 riant granulations make on the edges produces an absorption 

 of the healthy parts, and thus increases the surface of the 

 sore. This luxuriance must, therefore, be kept down by 

 mild escharotics. The firing-iron is often applied. By the 

 constant use, however, of chloride of zinc and water, of the 

 strength of one grain to the ounce, healthy growth is pro- 

 moted, and all luxuriant granulations effectually checked. 

 The above simple and costless application is all the lotion 

 that every form of wound requires. 



It is the practice of many farriers to plug every wound 

 with something of the nature of a tent, under an idea of 

 keeping it properly open ; by which the healthy processes of 

 nature are frustrated, and simple wounds are rendered com- 

 plicated and tedious, by this introduction of tow, sponge, 

 candle, &c. &c. In this way pus, being confined, becomes 

 unhealthy, and burrows ; sinuses form, and the edges of the 

 wound, l3y being in constant contact with foreign bodies, 

 become hardened, callous, and are rendered incapable of 

 union until they are removed by the knife. The only cir- 

 cumstances that can justify the use of tents are, where a very 

 deep wound exists, with a very small orifice ; in which case 

 it is certainly not prudent to permit the external opening to 

 heal until the granulations have filled the cavity from the 

 bottom ; likewise when any extraneous body is suspected to 

 be within a wound, as thorns, splinters, gravel, &c. ; or when 

 bone has been injured ; in which last case exfoliation being 



