74 WOUNDS AND BRUISES. 



itself. The latter consists of a curved pin which is kept in position 

 by thread twisted between the tw^o ends in a figure of 8. 



In making the stitches, the edges of the wound should be accu- 

 rately brought together, in the natural position of the parts ; care 

 being taken to avoid any incurling of the skin. The wire, pin, 

 carbolised catgut, or thread, as the case may be, should, with the 

 aid of a pin director or curved needle, be passed through one side, 

 and out at the other. The sutures should be about half an inch 

 frcm each edge, about an inch from each other, and should go deep 

 enough to obtain sufficient hold. While this is being done, the lips 

 should be held together by an assistant. " The general rule is to 

 tie the middle stitch first : this, however, is of no great matter. The 

 chief precaution required is that they be introduced at correspondent 

 opposite points, so that, when they come to be drawn tight, they 

 meet each other in straight or parallel lines, and confine the sides 

 of the wound evenly and uniformly together, without wrinkling the 

 skin or giving the parts any harsh or unnatural constraint " (Per- 

 civall). If a suture be found to cause irritation, it should be at once 

 removed. As a rule, sutures should not be kept in a wound longer 

 than three days. If, however, the suture performs a us^eful end, and 

 neither gives rise to iiTitation, nor becomes putrid, it may be left 

 undisturbed. 



5. OBTAIN REST. — This may be done by slings, splints, ban- 

 dages, tying the horse's head up, the administration of chloral 

 hydrate or Indian hemp, or even by applying a blister near a joint 

 so as to prevent movement. 



6. DRESS THE WOUND.— Already inflicted wounds should be 

 dressed according to the same principles as those of operations (p. 

 69 et seq.). If the wound is suppurating — that is, if pus (matter) 

 be present in it — we should endeavour to clean it thoroughly with 

 warm water; disinfect it with one of the solutions given on p. 67, 

 and then apply tannoform, iodoform, or a saturated solution of 

 iodoform in eucalyptus oil. A suppurating wound will generally 

 require to be dressed a couple of times a day. If bacteria have not 

 gained entrance into the wound, our interference should be limited 

 to guarding it against their invasion. In this case, the antiseptic 

 employed should not be stronger than carbolic acid or creolin J oz. 

 to the pint of water ; a saturated solution of boric acid in water ; 

 or tannoform. After covering over the wound, with five or 

 six layers of antiseptic cotton wool, it may be left untouched 

 for six or seven days, by which time it ought to have healed in a 

 perfectly healthy manner, and ought to require no further special 

 treatment. After havino- dressed the wound in the manner de- 



