WOUNDS. 
581 
intestines are clean, and free from dirt or hair ; and if they 
are not so, let them be carefully washed with a sponge and 
warm water, and then return them into the abdominal 
cavity, and stitch up the wound carefully with a crooked 
needle and strong, well-waxed linen thread ; and afterwards 
apply a broad roller round the carcase of the animal, to 
prevent the internal pressure from tearing the sides of the 
wound asunder. The animal should then be placed in a 
situation where it can remain undisturbed. Its diet for 
some time must be limited, and consist of such food as will 
prevent it from becoming costive, such as mashes of bran, 
or thick oatmeal-gruel, and occasionally fresh grass. But 
should costiveness come on, then let a pint of castor-oil be 
given in a quart, or half-a-gallon of thin warm gruel. It is 
a most important point to keep the bowels open in all such 
cases. 
In protrusion of the bowels it often happens that a 
quantity of air collects in the part which has been forced 
out, and so enlarges it that the orifice of the wound will 
not admit of its being returned. It will therefore be neces¬ 
sary to enlarge the opening with a sharp knife, but very 
great caution is necessary not to cut any vital part. This 
is most effectually prevented by guiding the knife with the 
fore-finger. 
When, however, such dangerous wounds have been in¬ 
flicted, it will be safer to have them treated by a skilful 
veterinary surgeon; and it is only for the instruction ot 
those who are far from such aid when an accident occurs 
that we have pointed out the best mode of treating it. 
When parts which are greatly inflamed become gangren¬ 
ous, instead of suppurating, exciting stimulants must be 
applied. Let the following simple application be first 
tried :— 
