WOUNDS AND WOUND INFECTIONS 169 



(3) Abnormal wound healing implies the formation of excessive 

 amounts of granulation tissue, termed "proud flesh" or "grapes," 

 a complication often seen in wounds around the hoof -head. It 

 occurs when the process of healing is too rapid. The cause is ex- 

 cessive irritation from mechanical irritants, like licking and rubbing 

 the part; or chemical antiseptics, like copper sulphate injudiciously 

 used; or bacteria in great numbers. Proud-flesh formation must 

 be stopped before the wound will heal properly. 



A scar is the result of the newly formed connective-tissue cells, 

 which contract and force the blood out of the part, leaving the 

 typical white condition. A scar contracts for a long time after 

 healing has taken place. This accounts for the pulhng and 

 "stitches" felt in healing and healed wounds. If the end of a 

 severed nerve becomes caught in the scar-tissue when the wound 

 heals, pain may be felt for years, but is always referable to the nor- 

 mal ending of the nerve. 



Old wounds may need to have the edges freshened, especially 

 if they are to be brought together by sutures, so that the skin 

 cells may proliferate and healing take place more readily. Healing 

 can be stimulated in old sores by applying a blister. 



SPECIAL KINDS OF WOUNDS 



Galled shoulders result from improperly fitted collars, too large 

 collars, collars too wide at the top, or an accumulation of dried 

 sweat and dirt on the collar or collar pad. The first step in remedy- 

 ing this trouble is the adjustment of the collar to the neck by fitting 

 it snugly. If this is not successful in preventing further galling, 

 the draft should be raised from the point of the shoulder. Treat- 

 ment for galls does not differ from that outlined for other wounds. 

 Washing the shoulders night and morning with a solution of 

 comimon salt and water in the proportion of a dessertspoonful 

 to 1 quart is useful to keep the skin clean and toughen it. Some- 

 times a hole cut in the sweat pad, at the place where it comes in 

 contact with the wound, will give rehef and hasten healing. Ob- 

 stinate cases are often due to deep-seated abscesses and require 

 an operation for a permanent cure. 



Sore neck is caused by excessive collar pressure and rubbing. 

 First see that the draft is not too high up, for this has a tendency 

 to pull the collar downward and bring too much pressure on the top 

 of the neck. Try slackening the hame strap at the top and tight-- 



