92 VETERINARY STUDIES 



means of small forceps or even with a hook made by bending a 

 pin or piece of wire. 



In some cases hemorrhage can be easily controlled by a tight 

 bandage placed above or below the wound. If the blood flows 

 in a steady stream, the bandage should be on the side farthest 

 from the heart. If it flows in jets, the bandage should be tied 

 between the wound and the heart. 



Ergot and other medicines given internally constrict blood 

 vessels and aid in checking hemorrhage. If a calf should 

 bleed seriously after castration, the scrotum may be firmly 

 packed with a strip of gauze or clean muslin and temporarily 

 tied. If bleeding has been serious and the heart is weak, a 

 stimulant like camphor dissolved in olive oil may be given by 

 hypodermic syringe under the skin. 



Sewing. — Comparatively few Avounds are materially benefited 

 by sewing or bandaging, except by professional hands. If the 

 wound is made lengthwise of the muscle, there may be consid- 

 erable advantage in holding the sides together by sewing. No 

 special form of needle or thread is necessary except that both 

 should be clean, and the latter should be of reasonable size. 

 A darning needle and ordinary white cotton thread or twine 

 will do in an emergency. But if the wound is made across the 

 muscle and gapes widely, it is usually unwise to sew^, for the 

 sutures will cut out in a few days and make the scar much 

 worse than if it had been left alone. An ordinary open wound 

 is almost certain to be or become infected even after washing and 

 disinfection ; hence, an opening should usually be left at the 

 bottom for drainage. 



Bandaging. — Occasionally a wound is such that the edges 

 can be held together by means of bandages. If this can be done, 

 there may be considerable advantage in so doing, but these 

 wounds are rare. Bandages must be changed frequently and 

 the wound kept clean, otherwise much more harm than good 

 results. Provision must be made for absorption or escape of 

 pus. 



Washing. — Few of these wounds are much benefited by wash- 

 ing or other "home" treatment. If a wound is such that pus 

 can drain from it freely and as rapidly as formed, there is little 

 to be gained by ordinary washing. If, on the contrary, there 

 are deep recesses or pockets from which the pus cannot drain, 

 then the wound must be so altered that these pockets will drain 



