494 DISEASES OF THE HOBSE. 



WOUNDS OF THE TENDON SHEATHS. 



Wounds of tendon sheaths are similar to open joints in that there 

 is an escape of synovial fluid, "sinew water." Where the tendons 

 are simply punctured by a thorn, nail, or fork, we must, after a 

 thorough exploration of the wound for any remaining foreign sub- 

 stance, treat with the flour-and-alum paste, bandages, etc., as for open 

 joint. Should the skin and tendons be divided the case is even more 

 serious and is often incurable. There is always a large bed of granu- 

 lations (proud flesh) at the seat of injury, and a thickening more 

 or less pronounced remains. When the back tendons of the leg are 

 severed we should apply at once a high-heel shoe (which is to be 

 gradually lowered as healing advances) and bandage firmly with 

 a compress moistened with a 10-grain chlorid of zinc solution. When 

 proud flesh appears it is best kept under control by repeated appli- 

 cations of a red-hot iron. Mares that are valuable as brood animals 

 and stock horses should always be treated for this injury, as, even 

 though blemished, their value is not seriously impaired. If the 

 subject is old and comparatively valueless, the length of time required 

 and the expense of treatment will cause us to hesitate in attempting 

 a cure. 



GUNSHOT WOUNDS. 



These wounds vary in, size and character, depending on the size 

 and quality of the projectile and also the tissue injured. They are 

 so seldom met with in our animals that an extended reference to 

 them seems unnecessary. If a wound has been made by a bullet ia 

 careful examination should be made to ascertain whether the ball 

 has passed through or out of the body. If it has not we must then 

 probe for it, and if it can be located it is to be cut out when prac- 

 ticable to do so. Oftentimes a ball may be so lodged that it can not 

 be removed, and it then may become encysted and remain for years 

 without giving rise to any inconvenience." It is often difficult to 

 locate a bullet, as it is very readily deflected by resistances met with 

 after entering the body. 



The entering wound is the size of the projectile, the edges are 

 inverted and often scorched. The wound produced in case of the 

 bullet's exit is larger than the projectile, the edges are turned out 

 and ragged. A bullet heated by the friction of the barrel or air 

 often softens and becomes flattened on striking a bone or other tissue. 

 Modern bullets that have an outer steel layer may pass through bone 

 without splintering it. Lead bullets may split, producing two exit 

 wounds. Spent bullets may only produce a bruise. Should bones 

 be struck by a ball they are sometimes shattered and splintered to 

 such an extent as to warrant us in having the animal destroyed. 

 A gunshot wound, when irreparable injury has not been done, is to 



