494 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
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 fiesh) 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 a 
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 
