Local Injuries, 253 



bodies, as nails, thorns, or splinters of wood, &c. They 

 are dangerous according to the depth, especially as some 

 of the internal organs and cavities may be injured. 



Treatmeiit consists of closing incised wounds by means 

 of sutures, always first ensuring the absence of foreign 

 bodies. Some lacerated wounds will also admit of this 

 treatment, but, as a rule, sutures do not answer effectu- 

 ally. Bandages, or other forms of support may be 

 needed according to the peculiarities of the case. 

 These, as well as contused wounds, are often benefited 

 by stimulating applications to the surrounding parts, as 

 soap liniment, containing a few drops of ammonia, 

 alternated with fomentations, or the spongio-piline 

 poultice. Punctured wounds call for the prompt re- 

 moval of the offending instrument, for which incision 

 may be required Inject healing fluids by means of a 

 syringe. 



Wounds of Arteries and F^/;/i-.— These are distin- 

 guished by the colour of the blood, that from an artery 

 being scarlet, and venous blood is a modena red. 

 Remedies known as styptics are used to stop the flow 

 of blood by forming a plug over the situation of the 

 wounds. Such are astringents which act by coagulating 

 the fibrine, of which the blood is largely composed. 

 Examples are, cotton wool, German tinder, as mechani- 

 cal agents ; tannic acid, lunar caustic, and perchloride of 

 iron, are chemical styptics ; and the hot iron a corrosive 

 agent. A simple method of arresting blood in a limb 

 consists of passing a cord or handkerchief round and 

 above the wound, and tying to form a loose loop. A 

 stick is then passed through half way, forming two con- 

 venient handles for twisting the ligature, the result being 

 pressure, and arrest of the flow of blood. This being 

 accomplished, the local wound can be treated more 

 efficiently, the animal being saved from severe loss of 

 blood. 



