WOUNDS. 494 
4 
ated by the shaft of a cart—be the instrument large or small—the conse- 
quences likely to follow upon the injury cannot be foretold. 
A contusion, in its mildest form, is simply a bruise. Injuries of this 
class, when of magnitude, are very deceptive; the surface is unstained 
by blood, and there is no flesh exposed. For these 
reasons the ignorant are apt to disregard such acci- 
dents, and to express surprise when they terminate 
otherwise than kindly. When a bruise happens, blood 
is effused in smaller or larger quantities according to 
the extent of the injury. A small quantity of effused 
blood, sufficient to discolor the human skin, may be 
absorbed; but when the amount is large, the powers 
of nature are defied. The blood thrown out, not op 
being taken up again, congeals, and ultimately cor- 
rupts. Then an abscess or a slough is necessitated; both are attended 
with danger: the first may be deep seated or superficial; either form is 
attended by much weakness. That generates considerable irritation, and 
may even be the cause of fatal hemorrhage; or it may lead to sinuses, 
the direction, the number, or extent of which, when they do occur, is not 
to be predicated. A bruise is, consequently, not to be judged of hastily. 
The amount of pain which it provokes is even unworthy dependence, as 
the injury may have hurt the bone or the tendon; and then, though the 
accident is rendered very serious, in the first instance no sign of agony 
announces the extent of the evil. 
With regard to treatment, when a lacerated wound occurs, the first 
attention should be paid to the system, which has always been much 
shaken. Give, therefore, the drink composed of one ounce each of laud- 
anum and sulphuric ether, with half a pint of water; repeat it every 
quarter of an hour till the shivering natural to the horse on these occa- 
sions has disappeared, and the pulse has recovered its healthy tone. 
Avoid all poultices of the ordinary kind; one composed of one-fourth 
yeast and three-fourths of any coarse grain, excepting bran, may be 
applied. So also may a lotion thus composed :— 
Lotion for Lacerated Wounds. 
Tincture of cantharides . ... . . =. =. . One ounce. 
Chloride of zinc . . . . . . . . . . « . Two drachms. 
Water Three pints. 
Mix. Keep a rag constantly wet over the part. 
Hither will stimulate the parts, and probably prevent any tendency to 
unhealthy action. The yeast poultice produces this effect by giving off 
carbonic acid; the lotion accomplishes this intention by both its active 
