4G0 WOUNDS AND INJtTHIES. 



wounds of the neck, wounds of the ischium, and so forth. 

 They are also described with reference to their direction — viz., 

 whether they he transverse, circular, oblique, or perpendicular. 

 Of Plesh Wounds there are five varieties, viz. : — 



1st. Incised "Wounds. 



2nd. Lacerated "Wounds. 



3rd. Jagged "Wounds. 



4th. Punctured "Wounds. 



5th. Contused "Wounds. 

 An Incised "Wound is a wound where the skin and sub- 

 tissues are clean cut. 



Lacerated and Jagged "Wounds are those where the skin 

 and sub-tissues are torn and jagged. 



Punctured "Wounds are wounds inflicted by small but 

 sharp-pointed instruments, such as a nail or an iron spindle. 



Contused Wounds are injuries inflicted upon the skin and 

 sub-tissues, without any perceptible breach or division of the 

 skin. 



Healing of "Wotjnds. — In order that what I write respect- 

 ing the treatment of wounds may be perfectly understood, and 

 its rationality fully recognised, it is necessary that I explain, 

 to some extent, the nature and course of the healing process. 

 Many erroneous notions prevail with regard to the treatment 

 of wounds. Authors have written, and continue to write, as 

 though the natural powers of the living animal were incapable 

 of repairing wounds and injuries. "We are alike taught by 

 veterinary authors and the generality of veterinary teachers, 

 that medicated fomentations, stimulating oils, linaments, decoc- 

 tions, and astringent washes of almost every variety, and even 

 at times the application of red-hot iron, are aU necessary to 

 cure a wound, or keep down exuberant gramdations, or what is 

 commonly called "proud flesh." 



