2'J8 DISEASES OE CATTLE. 



end soothing applications, such as fomentations and poultices, are 

 plainly indicated. 



Methods op healing. — Technically these may be divided into a 

 number of distinct processes, but practically we may speak of them as 

 two only, namely, by primary union, or adhesion, and by granulation. 

 As suppuration is not so liable to occur in cattle as in the horse, healing 

 by the former and more speedy process is much more common in the 

 first-named species, more particularly in clean-cut or incised wounds, 

 provided they have been stitched within twelve hours from the time 

 the injury which caused them was inflicted; that they have been kept 

 clean and that the patient has by some means been kept fairly still. 

 This latter stipulation is probably hardest to comply with. Quiet is 

 an important factor in the process of repair among the lower animals 

 as well as their masters, and the rule is none the less good because, 

 unfortunately, it is more frequently honored in the breach than in the 

 observance. Healing by this method is in some cases extraordinarily 

 quick, union between the divided parts having been known to take 

 place as soon as twenty-four hours after their adjustment by the 

 surgeon. 



The second method of healing, namely, by granulation, which is, 

 however, the manner in which most wounds in animals heal, takes much 

 longer time. In punctured wounds of any depth healing necessarily 

 takes place in this, way only, and the treatment should be directed 

 largely to alleviating pain and moderating inflammation. The former 

 can be accomplished by opium applied locally in the form of the diluted 

 tincture, or given internally in repeated small doses; and the latter by 

 aconite or fluid extract of gelsemium, 25 to 30 drops of either of which 

 are given in the drinking water or dropped on the tongue at intervals, 

 depending on the severity of the fever. 



After-treatment and dressing of wounds. — The dressing of 

 wounds, whether they have been attended to by a veterinarian or not, 

 is a matter which, in case of cattle, invariably devolves upon the 

 owner or his employees. It must not, however, be inferred from this 

 that the matter is of secondary importance. The dressing of wounds 

 is one of the most important branches of veterinary surgery, and one 

 of the most constant difficulties that the practicing veterinarian has to 

 contend with lies in the want of appreciation on the part of owners of 

 the great importance of care and attention in the after treatment 

 of wounds. It is for this reason that the writers are averse to closing 

 this portion of their task without pointedly calling attention to the 

 fact that it is very largely to skillful, patient, and careful dressing 

 that satisfactory recovery from most serious accidents is due, and this 

 unswerving vigilance and solicitude we would bespeak not only for 

 the injured parts, but for the general care of the animal and its 

 surroundings. 



The first and foremost consideration in the dressing of a wound is 



