288 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



skin is never covered with hair, and thus the blemish caused by 

 broken knees ; but the old skin is often, to a great extent, 

 stretched or drawn over the wound by the new skin, and thus 

 the expected blemish is often greatly diminished. Injuries of 

 tendons or ligaments are slower in healing than those of muscles, 

 from the part not being so highly organised ; and, for the same 

 reason, those of bones are still more tedious, and often will not 

 heal Until a portion exfoliates, dies in fact, and is cast off. 



It is generally imagined that, when an extensive wound heals 

 quickly, it is owing to the virtue of some particular medicine 

 employed. This, however, is not the case ; it is owing to the 

 powers of nature, and it is rarely necessary to do more than 

 assist her operations. 



There are certain principles to be kept in view in the treat- 

 ment of wounds, an observance of which will greatly assist our 

 purpose. 



In the first place, it is necessary to check inordinate swelling 

 and inflammation ; although inflammation, within certain bounds, 

 is a viseful process. 



Secondly, it is requisite, whenever it be possible, to get a 

 depending orifice by which the matter can escape as it is 

 formed, otherwise it becomes acrid from being pent up, and, 

 seeking an exit, forms deep-seated sinuses, which greatly pro- 

 tract the cure. 



Thirdly, it is essential that the external opening of a wound 

 should be large, so that it may not close up until it be healed 

 from the bottom. 



Wounds of cavities, such as the abdomen, the chest, or the 

 joints, must be treated on different principles from those re- 

 commended ; they must be closed as soon as possible ; for the 

 entry of air into the abdomen or chest will be productive of 

 dangerous inflammation, and in the latter situation, indeed, will 

 prevent the lungs from acting. And in joints the escape of 

 synovia will cause the extremities of the bones to rub against 

 each other, and thus produce the most severe and dangerous 

 inflammation, unless the wound is speedily closed, and the 

 synovia confined to its proper receptacle. 



To carry out these principles in the treatment of common 

 wounds, it is necessary, in the first place, in a contused wound, 

 to employ poultices, warm fomentations, or cold lotions, in order 

 to keep inflammation within bounds. If any dirt or gravel, or 

 other foreign substance, has entered the wound, it is necessary 

 to remove them and carefully clean the wound with warm water. 

 If, however, the wound has been inflicted with a sharp instru- 

 ment, the wound itself should not be fomented, but the edges 

 should be brought together and confined by strong sutures ; 

 leaving, however, sufficient space at the lower j>art to aflbrd an 



