THE STUDY OF THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM 69 



127. Of the foregoing, the only one that might heal by first 

 intention is the incised or clean-cut wound ; but such is rarely seen 

 in domestic animals. However simple the injury may be, it ought 

 to have early care and attention, as it might result in sloughing, or 

 mortification with septicemic blood-poisoning, or pyemia, as when 

 abscesses are formed in different parts of the body — well exemplified 

 in bastard strangles. 



128. Incised Wounds are wounds caused by sharp cutting 

 instruments. Treatment. — First examine the part, remove all the 

 blood-clots, etc., from the wound, and stop the bleeding. If the 

 blood be bright scarlet and spurting out in jerks, an artery has been 

 wounded. To arrest the bleeding, at once, when practicable, tie 

 a cord, handkerchief, or bandage loosely around the limb, above 

 the wound ; insert a pocket-knife or piece of stick beneath the cord 

 or bandage, and twist it round and round tightly until the bleeding 

 stops, when the ends of the damaged vessel may be tied with a piece 

 of silk, or even cotton, thread. Arteries are sometimes injured on 

 one side only ; this is very dangerous, and the bleeding is difficult 

 to stop. In this case the vessel has to be completely divided — 

 which should only be done by a professional man — when the cut 

 ends will contract into the neighbouring parts and the bleeding 

 cease. Blood from veins is dark red, and pours out of the wound 

 in a continuous stream, turning brighter in colour as it runs down 

 the leg or side, under the oxidizing action of the air. This bleeding 

 may be stopped by applying the point of a red-hot poker to the 

 vessel, or by placing a pad of tow over the place and securing it 

 with a bandage where practicable. Plugging the wound with tow 

 (which can be readily made by teasing out a piece of soft rope) 

 is also of great service, and should be done thus : First soak the 

 tow well with antiseptic mixture (par. 1060, No. III.), then plug it 

 tightly into the bottom of the wound, securing it in the place by 

 pulling the edges of the wound together with stitches of antiseptic 

 silk, cord, catgut, or silver wire. In about thirty or forty hours 

 after the plug may be carefully removed and the injured part 

 re-dressed with the antiseptic mixture. 



