Treatment.—Cleanse, by squeezing water from a large sponge above the wound, as was directed for broken knees, and allow suppuration to remove any grit that is fixed in the flesh. Support the body, and use the chloride of zinc lotion.
A punctured wound is dangerous, as the parts injured are liable to motion. On this account those above the stifle are very hazardous. Sinuses form from the torn fascia opposing the exit of the pus; also because the small hole in the skin generally bears no proportion to the internal damage.
Treatment.—Always enlarge the external opening to afford egress to all sloughs and pus. Regulate the food by the symptoms, and use the chloride of zinc lotion.
A contused wound, when large, causes more congealed blood than can be absorbed. This corrupts, and a slough must occur or an abscess must form. Either generates weakness, produces irritation, and may lead to fatal hemorrhage. Or sinuses may form. Wherefore, such accidents are not to be judged of hastily.
Treatment.—When the contusion is slight, rub the part with iodide of lead, one drachm of the salt to an ounce of lard. When large, divide the skin, every eighth inch, the entire length of the swelling. Bathe the injury with the chloride of zinc lotion, and support the body, as the symptoms demand liberality in the matter of food.
In all wounds, gain, if possible, a large depending orifice, and cover the denuded surfaces with a rag saturated with oil of, or in solution of, tar.
The author, having now concluded his labors, cannot forbear from repeating the advice which was given to the reader at the commencement of the present Summary—always appeal to the body of the work so soon as the first danger has subsided. Many hints are therein contained which could not be embodied in anything deserving to be entitled an abbreviation. Ampler space there enables the writer to describe certain precautions and to suggest various stratagems which, of course, would be out of place in the pages where condensation was the professed characteristic. For these reasons the reader is most earnestly recommended never to depend longer upon the contents of the Summary, than the pressure of immediate danger shall render imperative.