CHAPTER IV.
WOUNDS. ABSCESS. SEROUS ABSCESS.
WOUNDS.
Definition.—A wound is a solution of continuity of soft struc-
tures, generally induced by violence from without, but at times from
within, as is the case when a broken bone pierces the tissues.
Causes.—In elephants, lighting is one of the chief causes of
serious wounds. Severe falls and other accidents may similarly
occasion them.
Varieties of wounds.—For convenience of description, they
have been divided into several classes. It is however only neces-
sary to describe those most likely to be met with, namely—
(1) Incised wounds, such as are inflicted with clean cutting
instruments, knife (da), bamboo, etc. These wounds
bleed freely from their whole surface and generally heal
rapidly.
(2) Punctured, in which the depth is much greater than
its superficial extent. Example: stabs, wounds from
spikes, bamboos and injuries by sharp tusks. These
wounds are generally dangerous owing to the possibility
of important organs being injured and the difficulty in
thoroughly cleansing them. Any poison which may
have gained entry lurks in the wound and may set up
various serious diseases.
(3) Lacerated wounds, in which the tissues are torn; they
do not bleed so freely as incised and punctured wounds,
for the simple reason that the coats of torn vessels
contract more readily than is the case when they are cut
clean across.
(4) Contused-lacerated, in which, in addition to a wound,
there is much bruising of the surrounding parts. Such
injuries do not heal very rapidly owing to the mechani-
cal, injury the tissues may have suffered which may be so
severe as to lead to their death.—(Slough.) There is a
tendency to formation of matter. Example: After a
fight, as the defeated animal retires he is often followed
up by his opponent who freely butts his hinder part;