THE HORSE-—-GENERAL DISEASES AND INJURIES. 209 
‘treating it then as directed under the last subject above. If a tendon be 
punctured and fluid is discharged around it, or if a joint be punctured, 
adopt the treatment laid down under Open Joints. If lock-jaw ensues, as 
is likely to be the case from this kind of wound, especially if the foot be 
pricked, consult the section on that subject. Should flies’ eggs be seen in 
the sore, apply carbolic-acid lotion for their destruction. 
LACERATED WOUNDS. 
These are injuries in which the skin and parts under it are torn, jag- 
ged, irregular, and often bruised. They are caused by nails or hooks in 
the walls of the stable, poles or sticks running into the flesh, and the like. 
TREATMENT.—Bring the parts of the wound as nearly as possible in- 
to the natural position of the skin, and cut off those portions of lacerated 
skin which you know would surely slough off eventually. Grit or 
sand should he previously removed, by bathing in warm water if the bleed- 
ing be slight, or by dashing on cold water if the bleeding be profuse. If 
the wound be large, a surgeon may sew the parts, bringing the lips closely 
together. For the inflammation, which is usually severe, use warm fomen- 
tations every one, two or three hours, keeping a bandage on to exclude the 
air and to prevent the washing away of the lymph which is essential to 
healing. In about a week, when inflammation has subsided, remove the 
bandage and discontinue fomentations, allowing a little water to run over 
the wound to remove superfluous matter. The use of a sponge must be 
avoided, as it will remove the lymph. Indeed, unless the matter is very 
plentiful and has a bad smell, even water should not run over the wound. 
When healing commences, oil-silk or collodion, applied with a very soft 
brush, may be put on the sore to exclude the air. Liniments are usually 
harmful; nature should take her course, with such assistance as has been 
mentioned, until granulations appear in the wound, when calendula-lotion 
will aid the skinning-over of the injury. Should the granulations rise 
above the skin, or “ proud flesh”? form, apply finely-powdered sulphate of 
zinc. For flies’ eggs in the wound, apply a lotion of carbolic acid. Read 
the remark under Contused Wounds upon the use of butternut bark... 
OPEN JOINT OF THE LOWER JAW. 
This needs some special mention, and may be considered here, lacera- 
tion of the tongue being another specific kind of wound that will be 
noticed. Such open joint may be caused by a blow, the joint-oil escaping, 
the parts becoming painful and swollen, and the joint possibly becoming 
0 inflamed as to cause disease in the bone and prevent, eating. 
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