CHAPTER XIII 

 THE THORACIC AND ABDOMINAL WALLS 



Accidental Injuries involving" the Thorax. 



Contusions and punctured \\'ounds of the thoracic wall are 

 frequentty met with in the dog and cat, being caused by 

 direct violence from such things as the toe of a boot, sticks, 

 stones, wheels of vehicles, bites of other animals, or contact 

 with spiked railings. Fractures are not as frequent as one 

 might expect, owing to the wonderful elasticity of the ribs in 

 these animals. 



Violent contusions cause stiffness and pain, and may give 

 rise to a pleurisy. They are treated by hot fomentations 

 and sedative or absorbent lotions, complications (such as 

 abscesses, etc.) being treated as they arise. 



Punctured wounds should be treated antiseptically and 

 sutured as soon as possible, the patient being kept in a clean 

 place and perfectly quiet. The prognosis given must always 

 be guarded, although the result need by no means of necessity 

 be fatal. Lacerations from vicious bites in this direction are 

 sometimes of a terrible nature, leaving only one course open, 

 viz., the destruction of the patient ; but punctured wounds 

 from palings may be so small as to be missed unless the skin 

 is carefully denuded of hair before giving an opinion. Air 

 enters the thorax (this condition being termed p7ieiunothorax), 

 and the lung on that side collapses to a more or less extent, 



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