463 



discliargiiig a tliin, gluey matter that is characteristic of the iiresence 

 of some ol3Ject in the j^arts. After a thorough exploration these 

 wounds are to be carefully and patiently fomented with warm water, 

 to which has been added carbolic acid in the i^roportion of 1 part to 

 100 of water. Rarely, if ever, are stitches to be inserted in lacerated 

 wounds. The surrounding tissues and skin are so weakened in vitality 

 and structure by the contusion that stitches will not hold; they only 

 irritate the parts. It is better to endeavor to secure coadaptation by 

 means of bandages, plasters, or collodion. One essential in the treat- 

 ment of lacerated wounds is to secure a free exit for the pus. If the 

 orifice of tlic wound is too high, or if i)us is found to be burrowing in 

 the tissues beneath the opening, we must then make a counter open- 

 ing as low as i)ossible. This will admit of the wound being thoroughly 

 washed out, at first with warm water, and afterward injected with 

 some mild astringent and antiseptic wash, as chloride of zinc, 1 dram 

 to a pint of water. A depending opening must be maintained until 

 the wound ceases to discharge. Repeated hot fomentations over the 

 region of lacerated Avounds afford much relief and should be per- 

 sisted in. 



Bruises are nothing but contused wounds, where the skin has not 

 been ruptured. There is often considerable solution of continuitj'" of 

 the parts under the skin, subcutaneous hemorrhage, etc. , which VLyay 

 result in local death — mortification — and slough of the bruised j)art. 

 If the bruise or contusion is not so severe, very many cases are quickly 

 cured by constant fomentation with hot water for from two to four 

 hours. The water should be allowed, about this time, to gradually 

 become cool and then cold. Cold fomentation must then be kei)t up 

 for another liour or two. Dry the parts thoroughly and quickly, and 

 bathe them freely with camphor 1 ounce, sweet oil 8 ounces. A (Xvy^ 

 light bandage should then be applied, the horse allowed rest, and, if 

 necessarj^, the camphorated oil may be repeated for two or three 

 days. If, however, the wound is so severe that sloughing must ensue, 

 we must encourage this by poultices made of linseed meal, wheat 

 bran, turnij^s, onions, bread and milk, or hops. Charcoal is to be 

 sprinkled over the surface of the poultice when the wound is bad 

 smelling. After the slough has fallen off the wound is to be dressed 

 with antiseptic washes of carbolic acid, chloride of ^inc, permanganate 

 of potash, etc. If granulating (filling up) too fast, use burnt alum, 

 or air-slaked lime. Besides this local treatment we find that the con- 

 stitutional symptoms of fever and inflammation call for measures to 

 prevent or control them. This is best done by i)lacing the injured 

 animal on soft or green food. A physic of Barbadoes aloes, 1 ounce, 

 should be given as soon as possible after the accident. Sedatives, as 

 tincture of aconite root, 15 drops every two or three hours, and ounce 

 doses of saltpeter twice or three times a day, are also to be adminis- 

 tered. When the symptoms of fever are abated, and if the discharges 



