494 veterinary surgical operations 



2. Non-Penetrant Wounds. 



The deep puncture that enters the anterior face of the 

 pectoral region and invades the space between the scapula 

 and the ribs concerns us most. The first step in its treat- 

 ment is to assure against the possible existence of foreign 

 bodies by examining the object that made the puncture. If 

 such exist their removal at all hazards is imperative. When 

 there is reason to suppose that the wound extends almost to 

 the space behind the olecranon, a long sound is passed into 

 the wound and attempt is made to find its end through an 

 'incision through the loose skin that passes from the olecra- 

 non to the costal surface. In addition to the skin it may be 

 found necessary to carry the incision through the latissimus 

 dorsi, provided the end of the sound can be felt beneath it. 



Whether this posterior opening is made or not, the sub- 

 sequent proceedings are the same. The horse is placed 

 backward into a narrow stall and allowed as little freedom 

 as possible by tying the head tightly between the pillars. A 

 fountain syringe as large as possible, equipped with a long 

 hose, is then filled with warm mercuric chloride solution, 

 about 1-1500. The hose is carefully passed to the very bot- 

 tom of the tract and fastened to the skin with a stitch so ad- 

 justed as to not obstruct the orifice. The antiseptic stream 

 is then turned on and allowed to flow continuously for no 

 less than four hours, after which a long dry strip of antisep- 

 tic gauze is inserted into the tract. The orifice may be 

 wadded moderately, or else sprinkled with iodoform. This 

 treatment is repeated for three or four days, after which 

 the gauze packing alone will be sufficient. The woUnd, thus 

 being prevented from becoming a veritable microbian incu- 

 bator, as is usually the case in such wounds, cicatrizes rap- 

 idly and the horse returns to work, often ,within three 

 weeks. 



When an opening has been made posteriorly, the only 

 change necessary is to place the end of the hose at a point 

 in the tract whence the liquid will flow from both openings, 

 and thus come into contact with every part. 



Lacerated Wound of the Buttocks. 



This wound is usually caused by the kick of a shod foot. 

 It is generally a stable accident, but sometimes occurs to 

 horses in harness from other cause than kicks' amongst 

 which is backing against sharp objects protruding from a 

 load. 



