108 WOUND TEBATMENT 



The patient must n6w.,be, placed under restraint that 

 will -protect the wound against injury. Standing for 

 ten days is always a part of .this restraint, as there is no 

 way to prevent stretching, tearing, and bruising a wound 

 if the patient is allowed freedom. ; If the wound is; lo- 

 cated around the hips, thighs, hocks, buttocka,^ or croup, 

 switching the tail must be preyentpd by, sacking ;or tying 

 it to one' side., For wounds about the. forequarters, 

 neck, or h^ad, it is best to ;back the patient into a single 

 stall, fasten the head on the pillar reins, and feed from a 

 hammock. Slings may sometimes be thought necessary 

 to assure the desired state, of repose that makes for gopd 

 healing. i- 



The af terrcare of the wound consists, of daily attention 

 to the orifice. This must be kept from damming up the 

 discharges. A loose wick, pushed up two or three inches 

 is the best way to keep the drain working well. ; 



At the end of ten days the collodion will be shedding. 

 It will be found adherent here and there, but: easy enough 

 to remove by passing blunt scissors beneath it.; The 

 sutures are now , removed alfipg the edggs, and if it is 

 found there are some places UPtiPnited, the loops are 

 not disturbed for several days more.- 



If there is any doubt about the firmness of, the union 

 the patient.: must be. kept in the standing position unti,l 

 the danger of breaking open the wound has passed. .Jij 

 twenty days such a. .patient is usually ready for the har^ 

 ness. A loiiger time may, however, be required where 

 the traumatic cavity was large or when the wound is 

 located at a flexion surface. 



The reader might also be reminded that the treatment 

 of such a wound is never complete without the adminis- 

 tration of an immunizing dose of antitetanic serum. The 

 closing up of a wound of this character creates a tetano- 

 genic field,' and as this certain preventive is available, 



