290 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



reparation. The tissues endeavor to repair the breach made 

 at their expense, and the lesion proceeds towards cicatriza- 

 tion, vi'hich may be accompHshed by: — (i) Immediate union, 

 1^2) First intention, (3) Second intention, (4) Retarded cica- 

 trization. 



Immediate union takes place in a few hours. Tt is rare 

 and is possible only in small, aseptic, incised wounds that 

 have bled but little. It is recognized by reunion of the walls 

 of the trauma. The serum coming from tTie wound is in- 

 terposed between the lips of the lesion and agglutinates 

 them. The repair is, however, not complete. If the phe- 

 nomena of repair are followed closely from this point it will 

 be found that the clot between the edges of the wound now 

 constitutes a framework or support for the connective tissue 

 elements, which has-ten to proliferate (first intention). These 

 elements shoot forth extensions which cross each other, and 

 ere long form a rather substantial network. In the days 

 which follow, the connecting fibres make their appearance 

 and the regeneration is complete. The white and red blood 

 cells, mixed in the fibrinous coagulum, become the prey of 

 the connective tissue elements and are starved in the activity 

 of the process. 



Secondary or mediate cicatrization, or healing with sup- 

 puration, is a much longer process, and is the usvial mode 

 by which extensive wounds heal when the tissues are bruised. 

 It is also observed in simple wounds that are soiled, infected, 

 or improperly treated. Here the healing process is more 

 complex. The tissue, having to reconstruct or reunite its 

 injury, must eliminate its disaggregated or dead elements. 

 Cure is effected by self-amputation. A line of demarcation 

 is established between the elements capable of living and 

 those which are irreparably injured. As in primary cica- 

 trization the embryonic cells are multiplied as the fine cap- 

 illaries which bring them the elements needed for their 



