386 SURGICAL OPERATIONS. 



free escape of matter, which is certain to collect at the bot- 

 tom. To avoid such occurrences, it is in many cases proper 

 to convert a punctured into an incised wound. When, from 

 neglecting this, the matter is denied an outlet, an incision 

 must be made to allow it to escape, otherwise much harm 

 will ensue from its burrowing between the diflerent textures. 

 Fomentations will also here be serviceable, and should be 

 preferred to poultices. To apply them, place well-boiled 

 hay, when very hot and moist, within a fold of old blanket 

 or woollen cloth, and lay it on the injured parts, taking care 

 to renew the heat frequently, by dipping the bundle in the 

 hot decoction. 



BRUISES AND SPRAINS. 



These, unless severe, need not be interfered with. When 

 the shepherd, however, considers it necessary to make an 

 application, he cannot do better than foment the part for an 

 hour or so with meadow hay, in the same manner as recom- 

 mended for punctured wounds. 



WOUNDS OF JOINTS. 



Such wounds are highly dangerous, and apt to baffle the 

 most experienced. If the injury be extensive, the best 

 thing the farmer can do is to slaughter the animal. 



FRACTURES. 



If there be no wound of the soft parts, the bone being 

 simply broken, the treatment is extremely easy. Apply a 

 piece of wet leather, taking care to ease the limb when 

 swelling supervenes. When the swelling is considerable, 

 and fever present, you can do no better than open a vein of 

 the head or neck, allowing a quantity of blood to escape, 

 proportioned to the size and condition of the animal and the 

 urgency of the symptoms. Purgatives in such cases should 

 never be neglected. Epsom salts in ounce doses, given 

 either as a gruel or a drench, will be found to answer the 

 purpose well. If the broken bones are kept steady, the cure 

 will be complete in from three to four weeks, the process of 

 reunion always proceeding faster in a young than in an old 

 sheep. Should the soft parts be injured to any extent, or 

 the ends of the bone protruding, recovery is very uncertain, 

 and it will become a question whether it would not be better 

 at once to convert the animal into mutton. 



