Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1917-01-19
WOUNDS OF HORSES
lacerated and Confused Hurts,
Bruises, Harness Calls.
MAY Be DESCRIBED TOGETHER
Many Animals Die From Septic Infec-
tion or Modification as Result of
These Injuries-Abscesse
May Result.

''sAy 'sSSS's
prepared by the United States Depart
ment of AgricultureD
Lacerated and confused wounds of
horses may be described together, al
though there is, of course, this differ
ence, that in confused wounds there is
no break or laceration of the skin.
Lacerated wounds, however, are, as a
rule, also cOntused-the surrounding
tissues are bruised to greater or
lesser extent. While ut first sight such
wounds may not appear to be as seri-
Gus as incised wounds, they are COM
monty very much more so. Lacera-
tons and Commissions, when extensive,
are always to be regarded as danger
Gus. Many horses die from septic in
lection or modification as a result
Of these injuries. In severe Commissions
there Is an infiltratiOn of blood into
the surrounding tissues; disOrganiza-
ton and modification follow, and in
vOlve often the Represented struc-
lures. Assesses, single or multiple,
may also result and call for special
treatment.
In wounds that are lacerated the
amount Of hemorrhage generally is in
considerable; even very large blood
vessels may be torn apart without
causing a fatal result. The edges of
the wound are ragged and uneven.
These wounds are produced by barbed
wire or some blunt object, as when a
horse runs against fences, board piles,
the corners of buildings, or when he is
struck by the pole or shafts Of another
team, falling ,On rough, irregular
stones, etc.
Confused wounds are caused by
blunt instruments moving with suffi-
cient velocity to bruise and crush the
tissues, as kicks, running against OBJ
jects, or falling on large. hard masses.
Treatment.
In lacerated wounds great care must
probing to the very bottom of the rent
or tear, to see whether any foreign
body is present. Very often splinters
of wood or bits of stone or dirt are
present, and unless removed prevent
the wound from healing; or if it
should heal, the wound soon opens
again, discharging thin, gluey mat
ter that is characteristic Of the pres
ence of some object in the part. After
thorough exploration these wounds
should be fOmented carefully and pa
tiently with warm water, to which has
been added carbolic acid in the proper
ton of part to 100 Of water. Rare
ly, If ever, insert stitches in lacerated
wounds. The surrounding tissues and
skin are so weakened in vitality and
structure by the Commissions that
stitches will not hold; they only irri-
tate the parts. 1t is better to endeavor
to join the edges of the wound by
means of bandages, plasters, or col
lodion. One essential in the treatment
Of lacerated wounds is to provide a
free exit for the pus. II the orif1ce Of
the wound is too high, or If pus Is
found to be burrowing in the tissues
beneath the opening, make a counter
opening as low as possible. This will
admit of the wound being thoroughly
washed out, at first with warm water,
and afterwards injected with some
mild astringent and antiseptic wash,
as chloride of zinc, one dram to a pint
of water. A dependent opening must
be maintained until the wound ceases
to discharge. Repeated hot fomenta-
tons over the region of lacerated
wounds afford much relief and should
be persisted in.
Bruises.
Bruises are nothing but confused
wounds where the skin has not been
ruptured. There is often considerable
solution Of continuity Of the parts un-
der the skin, subcutaneOus hemorrhage
ETC., which may result in modification
and slough of the bruised parts. II
the bruise or confusion is not so Sc
we're, many cases are cured quickly by
constant fermentation with hot water
for from two to four hours. The wa
ter should be allowed about this time
to become cool gradually and then
cold. Cold fermentation must then be
kept up for another hour or two. The
parts should be dried thoroughly and
quickly and bathed freely with cam
phOr one ounce, sweet oil eight ounces,
or with equal parts OF. lead water and
laudanum. A dry, light bandage
should then be applied, the horse al
lowed to rest, and If necessary the
treatment may be repeated each day
for two or three days. If, however,
the wound is so severe that sloughing
must ensue, 1t should be encouraged
by poultices made Of linseed meal,
wheat bran, turnips. onions, bread and
milk, or hops. Sprinkle charcoal over
the surface Of the poultice when the
wound Is bad smelling. After the
slough has fallen of dress the wound
with warm antiseptic washes of car
bolic acid, chloride Of zinc, permanga-
nate Of potash. etc. If graduating
(filling up) too fast, use burnt alum
or air-slaked lime. Besides this local
treatment, the constitutional symp-
toms Of fever and Inflammation call
for measures to prevent or control
them. This is best done by placing
the injured animal on soft or green
feed. A physic Of Barbados a!oes,
one ounce should be given as soon as
possible after the accident. Sedatives,
such as tincture Of aconite root, Is
drops, three times q day, or ounce