LECTURE XVII. 



WOUNDS. 



The most common wounds which affect stock are those caused 

 by barbed wires, plows, harrows, etc., and are generally large 

 and badly torn. The farmer rarely has to deal with a nice clean 

 wound that can unite smoothly and heal rapidly. 



Bad treatment. — Nearly every farmer has some special prep- 

 aration which he thinks of great value in the treatment of wounds. 

 Most of these preparations are seriously injurious, and greatly 

 retard healing. Various preparations of turpentine, alcohol, vin- 

 egar, carbolic acid, irritating oils, and even the mineral acids 

 are frequently used in the treatment of these wounds and then 

 because the patient recovers in spite of barbarous treatment, peo- 

 ple erroneously conclude that the medicine cured. 



Bleeding. — This can usually be checked quite easily. If the 

 blood comes from a large number of small vessels the haemor- 

 rhage can be checked and finally stopped by means of ice, by 

 very cold or very warm water, or the wound may be packed with 

 clean cotton or oakkum and tightly bandaged. In case a large 

 blood vessel is severed, it may be better to draw the end out and 

 tie a strong thread around it. The artery may be secured by 

 means of small forceps or even with a hook made by bending a 

 pin or piece of wire. 



In some cases haemorrhage can be easily controlled by a 

 tight bandage placed above or below the wound. If the blood 

 flows in a steady stream the bandage should be on the side far- 

 thest from the heart. If it flows in jets the bandage should be 

 tied between the wound and the heart. 



Sewing. — Comparatively few wounds are materially bene- 

 fited by sewing, bandaging or washing except in professional 

 hands. If the wound is made lengthwise of the muscle there 

 may be considerable advantage in holding the sides together by 

 sewing. No special form of needle or thread is necessary ex- 

 cept that both should be clean, and the latter should be of rea- 



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