WOUNDS AND WOUND INFECTIONS 247 



Neglected wounds may become fly-blown in the summer. 

 The eggs laid by the flies hatch into maggots which burrow into 

 the tissues and cause much damage. The maggots must be 

 removed at once and the surface of the wound dusted with a 

 dressing powder to keep other flies away. 



Ulcers are old wounds with no tendency to heal. They are 

 often called "running sores." A careful examination will usually 

 reveal some foreign irritating material, which must be removed 

 before healing will take place. When they occur over a bone it 

 should be exposed and scraped. Scars are always left when ulcers 

 heal. 



FistulaB are abnormal tube-like passages. When they have 

 but one opening they are termed "blind fistuke." A true fistula 

 is One that discharges the secretion of an organ. In the horse 

 such a fistula is most common as a result of injury to the duct of 

 one of the salivary glands. The continuous dripping of the 

 saliva often makes healing impossible, and permanent relief 

 can be obtained only by actually destroying the function of the 

 gland with injections of iodin. 



Open joints may be defined as external wounds which com- 

 municate with joint cavities and allow synovia to escape. They 

 often occur as a result of a puncture wound caused by a fork- 

 tine or similar pointed object. They are dangerous, because 

 infection easily gains entrance to the joint cavity, where absorp- 

 tion of poisons is very rapid. Treatment must be immediate 

 to prevent serious consequences,' and had better be left to a 

 veterinarian. If fresh, shave the hair from about the wound, 

 but do not probe it. If infected, the wound ought to be flushed 

 out with a non-irritating antiseptic solution, using care to keep 

 everything absolutely clean. A bandage should be applied, 

 or the skin wound covered with collodion, if no pus organisms 

 have gained entrance. After twenty-four hours remove the 

 bandage and examine for evidence of synovia. If this fluid is 

 present put x on another dressing. In case pus with a foul odor 

 forms the prognosis is doubtful. 



WOUND INFECTION DISEASES 



A number of diseases are directly due to wound infection. 

 Besides those caused by specific microorganisms, like anthrax and 

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