462 WOUNDS Al^J) INJURIES. 



blood will crack, and at the bottom of tbe cracks lymph will 

 appear. The cracks of the blood-clot and the appearance of 

 lymph are constantly associated phenomena, but the two may 

 be hastened or retarded by the weather. "When the weather is 

 hot — as in the months of June, July, and August — wounds will 

 speedily present a moist appearance. If the weather be cold 

 and frosty, wounds will present a dry appearance for some 

 time, and the formation of lymph be consequently delayed; 

 so dry, in fact, will a flesh-wound frequently become in cold 

 weather, and continue so for days, that any one not acquainted 

 with the cause might conclude that the injured tissues were 

 taking on a permanent leathery state. About the fourth day, 

 all circumstances being favourable, the cracks will in the 

 generality of cases become wider, and the lymph more abun- 

 dant and more dense. The formation of lymph may now be 

 said to have become established ; and its secretion will go on 

 until the fleshy chasm and all its irregularities become filled to 

 a level with the skin. Finally, the lymph will harden and 

 dry, and the wound will become what in surgical language is 

 termed cicatrized. When the lymph- secreting process is fairly 

 established, the swelling and tumefaction will rapidly disappear ; 

 until, long before the healing process is complete, the tissues 

 immediately contiguous to the wound will have become as free 

 from swelling as though not involved with the wounded tissues. 

 Such are the processes by which the vital powers repair a 

 wound, or a breach of continuity in the flesh ; they are simple, 

 aud thoroughly efiectual. 



Teeatment of "Wounds. — In directing our consideration 

 to the treatment of wounds, several important matters require 

 the care of the practitioner : first, attention to the injury ; and 

 secondly, attention to the system of the animal injured, A 



