FLESH WOUNDS. 289 



wound be transverse to the direction of the limb or muscular fibres, with 

 a cavity formed by the retraction of the divided muscular fibres, it is 

 difficult to bring its lips into apposition; and when they are coapted by 

 firm and strong sutures, the skin into which they are inserted is almost 

 sure to slough, the process of healing being at the same time retarded by 

 the irritation set up, and the blemish increased to a considerable extent. 

 In such cases the best plan is to bring the lips together at their extremi- 

 ties, using the quilled suture, and leave a gap at the central portion of 

 the wound; or, if the cavity be very deep and in a downward direction, 

 it may be necessary to make a counter-opening as its inferior part, to 

 allow the discharges to escape. If such be the case, the lips of the 

 original wound are to be brought together, and it is possible they may 

 heal by the adhesive process. 



The edges of wounds are kept in apposition by means of sutures, 

 pins, plasters, and bandages. Plasters are rarely used in veterinary 

 practice, but their employment, especially in wounds in the lower 

 portions of the extremities, may with advantage be preferred to that of 

 sutures, as they cause no blemish. A longitudinal or even transverse 

 wound situated on a leg is easily brought together by plasters, over which 

 a moderately firm bandage can be applied; and a wound so treated will 

 heal in less time, and leave a smaller blemish, than when sutures are 

 employed. 



Various forms of sutures are employed for keeping the edges of 

 wounds together; the interrupted suture, Fig. 28, is, however, the form 

 mostly in use, and the material '' the metallic suture wire." The wire 

 causes less irritation than thread, and is to be always used in prefer- 

 ence. 



Contused wounds generally contain serum or a mixture of blood and 

 serum under the skin. Unless very extensive injury is apparent, the ap- 

 plication of a stimulating liniment will be serviceable: 



Gum camphor li. 



Olive oil § ij. 



Dissolve the camphor in the oil; if a more active action is desired, add to 

 the above: 



Oil of turpentine 3 i- 



19 



