Local Injuries. 253 
bodies, as nails, thorns, or splinters of wood, &c. They 
are dangerous according to the depth, especially as some 
of the internal organs and cavities may be injured. 
Treatment consists of closing incised wounds by means 
of sutures, always first ensuring the absence of foreign 
bodies. Some lacerated wounds will also admit of this 
treatment, but, as a rule, sutures do not answer effectu- 
ally. Bandages, or other forms of support may be 
needed according to the peculiarities of the case. 
These, as well as contused wounds, are often benefited 
by stimulating applications to the surrounding parts, as 
soap liniment, containing a few drops of ammonia, 
alternated with fomentations, or the spongio-piline 
poultice. Punctured wounds call for the prompt re- 
moval of the offending instrument, for which incision 
may be required. Inject healing fluids by means of a 
syringe. 
Wounds of Arteries and. Veins—These are distin- 
guished by the colour of the blood, that from an artery 
being scarlet, and venous blood is a madena red. 
Remedies known as styptics are used to stop the flow 
of blood by forming a plug over the situation of the 
wounds. Such are astringents which act by coagulating 
‘the fibrine, of which the blood is largely composed.. 
Examples are, cotton wool, German tinder, as mechani- 
cal agents ; tannic acid, lunar caustic, and perchloride of 
iron, are chemical styptics ; and the hot iron a corrosive 
agent. A simple method of arresting blood in a limb 
consists of passing a cord or handkerchief round and 
above the wound, and tying to form a loose loop. A 
stick is then passed through half way, forming two con- 
venient handles for twisting the ligature, the result being 
pressure, and arrest of the flow of blood. This being 
accomplished, the local wound can be treated more 
efficiently, the animal being saved from severe loss of 
blood. 
Ny 
