Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-03-28
WOUNDS OF HORSES
LaCerated and Confused Hurts,
Bruises, Harness Calls.
MAY Be DESCRIBED TOGETHER
Many Animals Die From Septic Infec-
ton or Modification as Result Of
These njuries-Abscesses
May Reeut.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment of Agriculture.)
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 q greater or
lesser extent. While at 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 intiltration of blood into
the surrounding tissues; disorganiza-
ton and modification follow, and in
volve often the deeper-seated 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 fatal result. The edges of
the wound are ragged and uneven.
These wounds are produced by barbed
wire or some blunt object as when
horse runs against fences, board piles,
the corners of buildings, or when he is
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
at first be exercised in examining or
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
a 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 l part to 100 of water. Rare
ly, if ever, insert stitches in lacerated |
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. If the orifice of
the wound is too high, or If pus Is
found to be burrOwing in the tissues
the opening, make 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 pint
If water. A dependent opening must
De maintained until the wound ceases
o discharge. Repeated hot fomenta-
ions over the region Of lacerated
Wounds afford much relief and should
,e persisted In.
Bruises.
Bruises are nothing but confused
Wounds where the skin has not been