WOUNDS IN ANIMALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 14

WOUNDS IN ANIMALS.

Wounds are of many kinds, and are roughly. divided into incisc-d or olean-cut ! ■wounds; lacerated, when the skin and flesh i is torn ; punctured, when a pointed object, such as a fork, enters the body; and contused, when there is bruising, as in the case of falls or blows. Sometimes one form complicates the other, and we have an example (says tho Farmers' Gazette) of the lacerated and confused wound in the familiar broken knees. Tho incised or cleancut wound, mado with a sharp-cutting instrument, and the deep stab, mado with a sharp pointed instrument, arc the most distinctive class of wounds. Tho first thing ponding the arrival of the yet. is to stop the bleeding. If the blood is bright scarlet, and comes In jets, an artery has been cut or wounded. A wounded artery is worse to deal with than one that is cut through, because in that case the cut-ends retract, and a clot forms. If possible, the vessel should be ligatured. In the case of a wound in tho limb, a torniquet can bo improvised by tying a pocket handkerchief or bandage loosely above tho wound, inserting a piece of stick, and twisting it tightly until tho bleeding stops. If there is a sufficient knowledge of the course of the ltrge arteries, tho bleeding may be stopped by_ pressing the vessel with ' tho fingers against a bone. Blood from tho veins is darker in colour, and flows from the wound not in jerks, but in a steady stream. Where tho bleeding is not excessive, pins may be passed through tho lips of tho wound and tow or twine twisted round them in tho form of a figure 8, or the edges brought together by interrupted sutures inserted by means of a strong curved nccdlo and stout thread. Sometimes a tight bandage suffices. Cold •water should bo applied freely to tho adjacent parts to check bleeding. If tho bleeding is dangerously profuse, active steps must bo taken to check it pending proper surgical aid, or it will arrive too late. Tho vessel may bo cauterised with a red-hot poker or iron, or the wound plugged with tow, cotton wool, lint, or a pocket handkerchief, a tight bandage being applied if the situation of the wound permits. Punctured wounds vary in gravity ac-

cording to their depth and situation. If there is bleeding the wound should be plugged and bandaged. Very often tho ex ternal indications are not to be relied upon as to tho ext3nt- of the injury, and this is especially the case with wounds of the trunk. Tne majority of punctured wounds met with aro those of the foot. These are always dangerous, although there may be little to be seen, and, owing to the risk of quittor, and of tetanus supervening, should always have skilled attention. The principal business of the owner is to keep the I wound clean. Bleeding; is generally easily stoped by plugging with tow. Lacerated wounds, generally the result of injury from barbed wire, hooks, nails, stakes, etc., jjarely bleed much. The' application of cold water or irrigation with carbolio lotion is indicated. Lacerations of tho abdomen are dangerous on account of protrusion of the intestines. If anything of tho kind happens. tho bowels should bo cleansed with warm water, returned if possible, and retained by means of a wide bandage soaked in carbolic lotion. If necessary, lacerated wounds should be sutured, after cleaning from all dirt and foreign matter. In the case of broken knees, the most frequent example of the lacerated-contused wound met with, urgency and importance depend on the extent of the injury, which may range from a slight " graze" to an open joint, puncture of the sheath of the tendon, or fracture of tho bones. Irrigation with tepid water should be employed to cleanse the wound from all grit and dirt. Sopping, dabbing, or washing the wound with a sponge is" bad, and cleansing should bo by irrigation from above, the water being allowed to flow through the wound. A badly-bruised knee may be further injured by movement, and in all cases of wounding the animal should bo kept as quiet as possible and prevented from lying clown, tho head being tied to the rack. In cases of collapse or shock, which may result from severe wounds, some brandy or whisky may be given in gruel. To keep wounds aseptic a lotion of carbolic acid should bo used freely. The acid is more potent when mixed with water than when combined with oil. After tho wound has been cleaned and the bleeding stopped the subsequent treatment will bo a matter for the veterinary surgeon. In minor wounds, keeping them clean and aseptic, and interfering as little as possible with the repar. vo processes of Nature, are tho indications. Above all, apply no "embrocation" or stimulating oils to recent wounds. Keeping tho parts aseptic, strict cleanliness, and tho provision of efficient drainage re-

Isult in the healthy healing- of the most severe wounds.