WOUNDS. 443 



by sutures ; but if it should be large, more dependence is to 

 be placed on a firm supporting bandage. For forty-eight 

 hours offer neither food nor drink ; then only thick gruel 

 in small quantities ; and if the wound be in the small 

 intestines, apply wet cloths around the body instead of 

 drink, and nutritious clysters instead of food by the mouth. 

 Sometimes, from very large openings made in the abdomen 

 by staking, or from the gores of oxen, there follows an ex- 

 tensive protrusion of parts, which will often require much 

 force and more dexterity to return. There has been placed 

 close to the wound a very firm bandage already drawn 

 moderately tight ; then the parts have been replaced with 

 the fingers under it, gradually drawing the bandage on- 

 wards as they were returned : the integuments should, in 

 such case, be carefully and firmly sewn up ; an adhesive 

 plaister placed over all, and permanent pressure kept up 

 by means of a strong bandage. It sometimes happens, that 

 with all the efforts we can make, the parts cannot be 

 returned ; in which case, what is to be done ? If the 

 bowels protrude, and the return is totally impracticable 

 from flatus, is it prudent to minutely puncture them ? Many 

 prefer this to any attempts at enlarging a very small abdo- 

 minal opening, as is too frequently done ; but which almost 

 always gives passage to a still larger quantity of intestines, 

 and which no future efforts can replace. The return must 

 be attempted by means of the puncture ; or by the fingers 

 of one hand gently introducing portions of the intestines 

 within one side of the opening, while the other hand is 

 employed in restraining the parts forced inward ; an assistant 

 supporting and gently pressing on the remainder : all this 

 is best done with the animal cast and placed on his back. 

 Having returned it, if the opening be a defined one, it 

 should be stitched up with the continued suture. If omen- 

 tum has protruded, by all means excise it if discoloured 

 from strangulation ; and do the same when it is too tumid 

 to return. In all such cases it is evident that a well- 

 informed practitioner is left greatly to his own resources : 

 but the knowledge that the animal must die without assist- 

 ance, will embolden his practice ; and the recollection that 

 greater liberties may be taken in brute than in human 



