FLESH WOUNDS. 293 



wounded, whether the wound be deep or shallow, as they may excite the 

 most dangerous complications. 



Wounds penetrating the walls may heal up externally, but generally 

 a hernia of greater or lesser magnitude remains, forming a permanent 

 blemish. 



FROST-BITE. 



The first effect of cold is to diminish the vital action of the part to 

 which it is applied. This state of depression, when not continued too 

 long, is succeeded by a more than usual activity, or reaction; and if this 

 alternation be oft repeated, the part becomes permanently weakened, 

 being slightly swelled, of a purple color (as is well shown in horses with 

 white heels), not so warm as usual, and afterward becomes inflamed. 

 The skin will now crack, and a discharge of sanguineous matter take 

 place. 



More intense cold not only weakens, but entirely suspends vital 

 action. The part becomes pale, insensible, and shrivelled, and is said to 

 ho frost-bitten. The skm, particularly tlie heel, will often slough across 

 from side to side, forming a strip of dead skin, underneath which is a 

 deep chasm, called a cracked heel. 



In other instances, and particularly during long-continued snowy 

 weather, with partial thaws, succeeded by sharp frosts, the deeper-seated 

 tissues of the coronet lose their vitality, and deep and extensive sloughs 

 are thrown off, leaving the tendons, ligaments, and even the articula- 

 tions exposed. The animal now suffers from all the agonizing pain, 

 fever, emaciation, etc., which characterize open joint, and too often suc- 

 cumbs, or has to be destroyed. 



Treatment. — Treatment consists in the application of poultices of 

 linseed meal or of boiled turnips, succeeded by cold water and mild as- 

 triugents, such as: 



Sulphate of zinc 3 ss. 



Water § x. 



and finally blisters to the coronet. A good blister for such cases is: 



Biniodide of mercury 3 i. 



Lard 3 vi. 



