271 
GUNSHOT WOUNDS. 
ture at which it entered, and that by which it escaped, sel¬ 
dom correspond either in size or situation. The aperture by 
which it entered is the smallest, because the ball comes with 
nearly its full velocity, and the parts yield immediately ; but, in 
passing through the limb, its impetus is considerably diminished 
by the resistance of the intervening tissues, so that, when it 
arrives at the opposite side, the integument is no longer de¬ 
stroyed, but gradually distended, until the fibres give way, and 
an irregular lacerated wound is made, the edges of which mani¬ 
festly project outwards, while, at the first aperture, they have a 
slighter inclination inwards. This will also determine whether 
the horse has received two wounds, or only one; for, from the 
resistance of bone, or cartilage, or the fascial covering of the 
muscles, or the play of the muscles themselves, the ball will 
often pursue a strangely devious path. It has occasionally hap¬ 
pened that there has been a distance of a very few inches only 
between the apertures. 
The contusion and the final eschar are, however, more con¬ 
siderable at the first aperture than at the other. The blood, 
repelled by the violence of the shock, is extravasated around the 
aperture, and forms an ecchymosis always larger and more 
intense at the first apertures. 
The constitutional derangement is very uncertain: a little pur¬ 
gative medicine, and diminished rations, may be all that will be 
required. At other times a most intense fever will be set up, 
and which will require decisive antiphlogistic measures. The 
question of bleeding will depend on circumstances; but it will 
in general be good practice not to have recourse to venesection 
unless the injury is exceedingly severe, and inflammation is ap¬ 
pearing. The size of the projected body, the importance of the 
injured parts, the extent of the passage of the ball, and its 
present situation, are circumstances to be taken into serious con¬ 
sideration. 
The presence of the projectile is an obstacle to the healing- 
process, and our operations should commence by an attempt to 
extract it; but if, in the accomplishment of this purpose, it may 
be necessary to cut any nervous trunk or large vessel, or to 
penetrate into any splanchnic cavity, it may be advisable to 
