WOUNDS OF THE ABDOMEN. Ill 



lying structures, and to allow it free exit. In ascertaining the depth 

 of the \Yound we should use the linger rather than the probe, lest 

 by our interference we might convert a superficial wound into one 

 penetrating the abdomen. In the graver cases, a large dose of 

 extract of Indian hemj), say, 4 draclmis, or 1 oz. of chloral hydrate 

 may be given to relieve the j>ain. In order to nullify the action of 

 putrefactive germs (p. 63), a solution of 1 part of creolin or car- 

 bolic acid to 40 of water, or one of 15 grains of chinosol to a pint of 

 water, may be freely ai3plied to the part, and introduced into the 

 wound by means of a sponge and stick, or other suitable ai'range- 

 ment. Any one of these applications may be used on an exposed 

 part of the bowel without fear of ill consequences. Ready escape 

 for matter should be provided, the knife being used if necessary. 

 Although the employment of stitches to a w^ounded bowel is not very 

 likely to give good results in horse practice, I may point out that, to 

 be effective, they should not be further apart than a twelfth of an 

 inch; that the turned-in serous (outer) surfaces should be brought 

 together by the sutures; and that fine carbolised silk thread may 

 be used. If any internal organ protrudes, it should be carefully 

 washed with the antiseptic solution, and an attempt made 

 to return it, except in the case of omentum (p. 284), which has 

 become injured. Such jorotruding portion of omentum may be 

 safely cut off. The wound should finally be disinfected by the anti- 

 septic lotion, and closed with stitches ; due precaution as to drain- 

 age being taken. The abdomen may be bound round with a sheet. 

 In order to keep up the strength, while giving the bowels the least 

 possible amount of work to do, food in a concentrated form should 

 be given, such as skimmed milk with the yolks of hard-boiled eggs 

 mashed up in it, oatmeal gruel, etc. Boiled barley and a linseed 

 mash, now and then, may also be of use. If constipation ensues, 

 a little linseed oil, say, a quarter of a pint, may be mixed thi'ough 

 the food three times a day. As peritonitis (p. 114) is an extremely 

 fatal disease, our efforts should be directed to prevent its occurrence, 

 and, if it sets in, to mitigate its effects. We should also take 

 proper precautions to jDrevent pus from burrowing down and forming 

 abscesses. 



Wounds of the Chest 



result from the same causes as those of the abdomen (p. 110), with 

 the addition of wounds, by broken ribs, of the lungs and of the 

 membrane which covers them and lines the chest. The only wounds 

 we need consider here are those which j)enetrate the wall of the 

 chest, or injure its contents, as the end of a broken rib might do ; 

 for wounds of the exterior of the chest wall require no special 

 treatment beyond the observance of precautions against their dan- 



