43 VETERINARY 



If a part seems so much lacerated or contused^ 

 that it appears unlikely to admit of a sufficient 

 circulation being carried through it, so as to pre- 

 serve its living principle, it will then certainly be 

 advisable to remove it. Neither suture nor plasters 

 should be used, unlefs there seems very good rea- 

 son to suppose that union by the first intention 

 ■will take place. The inflammation brought on by 

 these wounds is very apt to terminate in mortifi- 

 cation. We should, therefore, use every means 

 in our power to keep it under, and encourage 

 suppuration. 



When a muscle is wounded, it either generally 

 soon heals by the first intention, or by suppuration 

 and granulation ; but wounds of tendons are much 

 more troublesome, pofsefsing very little vascu- 

 larity, and therefore incapable of suppuration. 

 Spirits of turpentine, in cases of wounded tendons; 

 will be found the best application. 



It has been said, that a partial division of a 

 nerve or tendon may be attended with very bad 

 consequences ; but these must arise merely from 

 its being a punctured wound, in consequence of -a 

 tendon being wounded, a spasmodic contraction of 

 the muscles may take place. Opium, in this case, 

 6 



