The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-09-09

Simple Treatment Of Wounded Animals.
Wounds are denominated lncised,
bruised, lacerated and punctured. In
cised wounds are those inflicted by
sharp instruments; bruised wounds are
generally occasioned by some blunt
body; lacerated wounds are generally
in the form of rent, rather than a
cut; punctured wounds are inflicted by
q pointed body. Besides more or less
bleeding, according to the nature and
extent of the injury, there is usually
swelling, heat and tenderness, more or
less fever, rcstlessness. disturbance of the
functions of the injured parts, and if
any of the cavities of the body have
been laid open, there may be protru-
sion of portions of internal organs. In
regard to treatment, the first thing to
do is, to cleanse the wound and re-
move any foreign body that may re-
main within the same. If much bleed
ing prevails, it should be stopped by
the application of some styptic remedy,
such as stream of cold water, strong
solution of copperas or blue stone, or
by plugging with wads of tow or rags,
saturated with the solutions named. If
the bleeding proceeds from large blood
vessels, these should be secured and
ligated. Incised wounds of less extent
or depth. may readily heal by what is
termed the ''first Intention" which
means union by medium of coagulable
lymph, without suppuration. This
may be brought about by Immediately
and carefully uniting the lips of the
wound, and securing these by means OF
adhesive plaster, and by bandaging.
There should in this case be no medi-
cines applied to the wound; not even
the blood should be washed off, if the
wound is clean, and the animal should
be tied SO that he cannot interfere with
the wound; because if it is opened
afresh, there will be no healing by first
intention. Before uniting the edges Of
q wound. the surrounding hairs should
be clipped short, care being taken that
none come within the edges of the
same. Bruised wounds should be
cleansed with warm water, and warm
bathing continued for some time, with
the avoidance of any friction to the
parts; then apply daily portion OF
equal parts of tincture of aloes and
tincture of myrrh, or Friar's balsam,
and protect the parts by light band
age. If the wound assumes an un-
healthy appearance, apply a poultice
of charcoal, and subsequently use a
solution of one part of carbolic acid and
fifteen to twenty parts of water, or
apply pyroligneous acid. In cases Of
lacerated wounds, after proper cleans
ing, and removal with scissors of all
loose shreds, the flaps should be evenly
united by deep stitches, but it should
always be remembered that the flaps
must not be drawn tight together, as by
the subsequent swelling, besides much
pain being thus caused to the animal,
the stitches will be likely TO tear out
through the skin. This kind of wound
should be treated as incised wounds.
Punctured wounds should be examined
by probing, with a view of ascertaining
if any foreign objects remain within.
Then apply warm bathing and warm
poultices, which latter should be con-
tinucd until escape of matter COM
mences, when injections may be made
several times daily of the same reme-
dies recommended for incised wounds.
If the discharge becomes unhealthy,
give internally anticeptic remedies,
such as one ounce of sulphite of soda,
two drains of carbonate of ammonia,
and half an ounce of gentian
root, which dose may be given
in half pint of cold water, morning
and evening, during three to four
days, and be repeated after as many
days intermission. When. in abdomin-
al wounds, protruding portions of in
testine, etc., have been properly and
carefully cleansed with blood-warm wa
ter, and it has been ascertained that no
injury has been sustained by these, they
should be returned as soon as possible,
and air should be prevented from enter
ing the cavities of the body by speedy
closing of the orifice by means of strong
sutures. No injection of medicines
must be attempted in these cases. The
wound should be treated by the simple
external applications advised above;
and it will be proper to support the
abdomen with bandage round the
body, of a broad sheet of linen. Pene-
trating wounds of the abdomen are
more dangerous than those of the chest,
and they often prove fatal. Inall cases
of wounds, absolute rest is necessary;
fresh water should often be offered. and
the food, given in small quantities,
should be loosening. Allow fresh air,
without draught, and in summer pro-
vide against access of flies, by light and
airy covering, fastened SO as to hang
loosely over the parts. If much fever,
pain and restlessness prevail, give ten
drop doses of aconite every hour, until
six doses have been given, or give ev-
cry two hours two drachms of bromide
of potassium, dissolved in a little wa
ter. Give loosening food without stint;
place salt within reach of the horse.
Attend to cleanliness, removing &C.
cumulating matter and dirt from around
the wound, by means Of warm water,
soap and sponge. Rubbing some hog 8
lard into the hairs round the wound,
will make the removal of accommodating
matter much easier.-Prairie Farmer.