TREATMENT OF WOUNDS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 211, 20 August 1927, Page 4

TREATMENT OF WOUNDS

AMONG FARM ANIMALS.

Punctured wounds are produced by some blunt instrument penertating deeply into the tissues. These are the most dangerous wounds, because on account of their depth they are liable to injure arteries, nerves or some vital structures and the parts which they penetrate arg stretched and torn, and so are liable to inflammation' and suppuration- 'the pus, when formed, having no outlet, is liable to burrow extensively among the tissues, foreign bodies may also be carried into the wound, and set up long-continued irritation, as they may escape observation when wasmug the wound. The treatment tor such wounus depends greatly upon the depth. I'lie opening siiouid be dilated and careiully probed. If the wound is shallow and there is little bru.s'.ig or tearing ot the surrounding tissues, cleanliness is all that is accessary lor successiul treatment.

11 the wound is deep it is oiten found necessary to enlarge the opening, and sometimes to matte a second one lower down to provide for efficient drainage lor pus and other fluids which collect in the wound. If possible, alter enlarging the wound, poulticing is very beneficial, \\nere great pain is present, causing the animal to go otl its loou and show symptoms of rever, opium should be given to relieve all pain. Doses of spirits of nitre may also be given. To the poultices carbolic acid or iysol should be added, if tho wound is in the foot, or limb, causing excessive lameness and inability to tie down, the animal should flo placed tn slings, dhat is known as proud flesh iiequently follows punctured wounds. This should never be irritated by caustics, for it is part of the healing process. When the wound becomes healed and leaves granulations, these may then be stimulated by cilm caustics, but not until the wound is healed. Occasionally the failure of a wounu to heal is due to a want of tone in the animal’s system- This should be overcome by administering a suitable tonic to improve the quality of the blood, assist digestion, and increase the appetite. In treating a punctured wound in the foot great care is necessary to maintain cleanliness and provide perfect drainage. This is done by removing the horn for at least half an inch round the seat of the puncture. Poultices should always be applied, but not for longer than 24 hours continuously.