43 



133- Lacerated W^ounds are caused by the animal coming in 

 contact with some sharp bod}', such as barbed wire, when the skin, 

 flesh, and tissue are torn in an irregular or jagged manner. Strange 

 to say, we have little or no bleeding from this class of wounds. Their 

 treatment is simple: — Dress with the antiseptic mixture (see Appendix), 

 and draw the parts together with sutures ; then keep the inflammation 

 in abeyance, by means of cold water applications, until healthy matter 

 comes from the wound, which generally heals by granulation ; this, of 

 course, must be kept in check by caustic applications, (see Appendix.) 



134. Punctured Wounds. — These, at all times, must be regarded 

 as dangerous. They are produced by sharp-pointed objects, such as 

 knives, pitchforks, stakes, thorns, &c. A minute examination should 

 be made, as frequently a piece of wood, &c.,is found, after many days, 

 at the bottom of the wound. In all cases, the foreign body should be 

 carefully removed, where practicable ; but, in some cases, it is 

 dangerous to remove it at first, and it has to be left to suppurate out 

 of itself, or until it can be removed without risk. When the bleeding 

 is excessive, it must be stopped by plugging, and the part treated as 

 described under Incised Wounds. [See Par. 129.) There is always a 

 great danger of Blood-Poisoning setting m, especially if the thick part 

 of a muscle be injured ; and in no case should this description of wound 

 be "tinkered" with, more particularly if the wound takes a downward 

 direction, i.e., the internal part of the wound is lower than the external 

 opening, in which case it has to be cut into. Punctures from thorns, in 

 the hunting field, often cause a great deal of lameness, as well as 

 constitutional disturbance, more particularly if in the knee, hock, or 

 other joint ; and if a piece of thorn has been broken in, under the skin, 

 cold water bandages answer best until suppuration sets in, when the 

 thorn can be removed. Punctured wounds also frequently cause lock- 

 jaw, when the irritating cause is such as nails in the feet. 



135. Gun-Shot Wounds. — These are mostly met with in time of 

 war, but are frequently found in dogs. The bullets, or pellets, should 

 be removed, if practicable, then dress as under Incised Wounds; {par. 

 129) but the bullets or pellets may often be left m the part with safety, 



