DISEASFS OF ANIMALS. 59 



cult to get the sides to adhere uniformly. When the 

 orifice heals before the bottom of the wound, collections 

 of matter are formed, which corrode the parts. Poultices 

 are useful in such cases. Fomentations with a decoc- 

 tion of camomile flowers may be preferable. It is some- 

 times necessary to make an incision, to allow the col- 

 lected matter to escape. 



CONTUSED AND LACERATED WOUNDS. 



In such wounds, the parts are torn or bruised, so as to 

 leave the texture destroyed. There is less appearance of 

 danger in these, as well as in punctured wounds, from 

 the flow of blood usually being less ; yet there is the 

 more to be dreaded. The danger of wounds is too often 

 estimated from the flow of blood alone, yet from the most 

 dangerous, there is sometimes no flow whatever. 



When the texture of the wounded parts has been com- 

 pletely destroyed, or wounds have been neglected or 

 badly treated, healmg must be effected by suppuration. 

 After the wound has been cleansed, and freed from all 

 extraneous substances, such parts as are almost lorn or 

 squeezed off, should be removed. But if the parts are 

 not much injured, there is a chance of their adhering, if 

 placed as nearly as possible in their natural position. 

 The wound should be carefully guarded against expo- 

 sure, but not tightly bandaged. As it proceeds, it may be 

 cleansed and softened, by washing with Castile or mild 

 shaving soap. Some mild and emollient salve may be 

 used to keep the parts soft and pliant. 



In case of inflammation, poultices may be used to 

 bring on suppuration. A large, warm, oiled poultice, 

 folded in a piece of thin linen or muslin, should be laid 

 over the wounded and neighboring parts, and changed 

 twice a day. Unless the injury is very severe, this 

 treatment will probably soon bring on the formation of 

 good matter, and the parts where the texture is com- 

 pletely destroyed, will slough or mortify, and fall off. 

 When this has happened, and the inflammation has 

 abated, the poultice should be discontinued, and some 

 mild and soothing salve used to promote the healing. 



But sometimes, instead of the suppuration, there is 



