92 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



frequently is the case in barbed wire cuts, it is necessary to 

 make careful provision for drainage. The wound is thoroughly 

 cleansed by means of ablutions if necess;iry; but preferably l)y 

 swabbing with pledgets of cotton or gauze which are moistened 

 in antiseptic solutions. All shreds of macerated tissue are 

 clipped with scissors and finally the whole wound surface is 

 painted with tincture of iodin. 



If drainage is made by cutting through the tissues in the 

 median portion of the structures that have been displaced, the 

 opening should be packed with gauze so that it may remain 

 patent after swelling has occurred. Such packing is left in 

 situ for twenty-four hours. 



The pendant muscular portions of tissues are sutured up by 

 means of tapes and, while perfect apposition is not ordinarily 

 possible, it is very essential to train the pendant tissues in their 

 normal position even if they require resuturiug within a week. 

 This minimizes granulation of tissue, and there results less scar 

 if the detached portions are kept near, even if not in contact with 

 the proximal wound margins. The skin together with sub- 

 cutaneous fascia is sutured on either side unless drainage is to 

 be provided for on one side, and the lowermost part of that side 

 is left unsutured. 



After-care. — Where extensive suturing of tissues has been 

 necessary, subjects must be kept quiet. They are best confined 

 in box stalls and not taken out for several weeks. Particularly 

 is this true where transverse division of extensors has taken place. 

 Sutures are removed at the end of from ten days to three weeks 

 as cases permit. Drainage of wound secretions, which usually 

 become infected, is necessary, because M'ith obstructed drainage 

 in an infected wound of this kind, there will result an early 

 destruction of tissue at some point sutured. Daily irrigation 

 done in a manner that practical asepsis is carried out, is neces- 

 sary for about a week. All irrigation is done by way of the 

 drainage opening, and this with warm aqueous solutions of suit- 

 able antiseptics. After a week or ten days' time, the wound 

 should not be dressed more frequently than twice weekly. 



If it is necessary to leave a portion of the wound uncovered. 



