1 30 THB HORSB. 



however, are as a rule also contused; the surrounding tissues to a greater 

 or lesser extent. While such wounds may not appear at first sight to 

 be lacerations and contusions, when extensive, are always to be re- 

 garded as dangerous. Many horses die from septic infection or mor- 

 tification as a result of these injuries. We find in severe contu- 

 sions an infiltration of blood into the surrounding tissues; disorgan- 

 ization and mortification follow, and involve often the deeper-seated 

 structures. 



In wounds that are lacerated the amount of hemorrhage is mostly 

 inconsiderable; even very large blood vessels are thus torn apart without 

 inducing a fatal result. The edges of the wound are ragged and uneven. 

 These wounds are produced by some blunt object, as where a horse runs 

 against fences, board piles, the corners of buildings, or where he is 

 struck by the pole or shafts of another team, falling on rough, irregular 

 stones, etc. 



Treatment. In lacerated wounds great care must at first be exer- 

 cised in examining or probing to the very bottom of the rent or tear to 

 see if any foreign body be present. Very often splinters of wood or bits 

 of stone or dirt are thus lodged, and unless removed prevent the wound 

 from healing; or if it should heal the wound soon opens again, discharg- 

 ing a thin, gluey matter that is characteristic of the presence of some 

 object in the parts. After a thorough exploration these wounds are to 

 be carefully and patiently fomented with warm water to which has 

 been added carbolic acid in the proportion of one part to one hundred 

 of water. Rarely, if ever, are stitches to be inserted in lacerated wounds. 

 The surrounding tissues and skin are so weakened in vitality and 

 structure by the contusion that stitches will not hold; they only 

 irritate the parts. It is better to endeavor to secure coadaptation by 

 means of bandages, plasters, or collodion. One essential in the treat- 

 ment of lacerated wounds is to secure a free exit for the pus. If 

 the orifice of the wound is too high, or if the pus is found to be 

 burrowing in the tissues beneath the opening, we must then make a 

 counter opening as low as possible. This will admit of the wound being 

 thoroughly washed out, at first with warm water, and afterwards in- 

 jected with some mild astringent and antiseptic wash, as chloride of 

 zinc, one dram to a pint of water. A def>ending opening must be main- 

 tained until the wound ceases to discharge. Repeated hot fomentations 

 over the region of lacerated wounds afford much rejief and should be 

 persisted in. 



