upture of small vessels. It is of importance as predisposing the exit
wound to more easy infection, and it accounts for the persisting
subcutaneous induration more often detected beneath healed exit than
entry apertures. Again, it suggests that the presence of blood in the
deeper parts of the tracks may be the determining cause of the indurated
cords often replacing them.

[Illustration: PLATE II.

Engraved and Printed by Bale and Danielsson, Ltd.

G. L. CHEATLE.

Mauser Wound of Exit, 7-1/2 days after infliction. Healing delayed by
Infection. About 12/1.

Section of the exit segment of a Mauser wound, removed seven and a half
days after infliction. Magnified twelve diameters.

The healing process has been delayed by infection.

There is no attempt at closure by a layer of epidermis, and the margins
are not depressed.

The wound track is narrower than that seen in the entry wound plate I.,
and completely occluded by a plug of the subcutaneous fat which has been
carried forward by the bullet in its passage. A small wedge-shaped plug
of lymph indicates the position of the actual track at its termination.

Dragging on the surrounding tissue consequent on the extrusion of the
plug of fat has ruptured some capillaries, and given rise to
considerable extravasation of blood, which is seen as a darker layer in
the deepest portion of the wound.

Comparison of this plate with the exit wound depicted in fig. 16, p. 56,
explains the nature of the tags of tissue there seen to protrude from
the convex opening.

Range 800 yards. Seat of wound, abdominal wall below 9th costal
cartilage.]

_Pari passu_ with the closure of the external openings, healing of the
track takes place, but this is not always so rapid a process as is
apparently the case. In many instances the closure, and even definite
healing, of the external wounds is complete long before the track has
actually healed, even though it be contracted up to complete closure as
far as any cavity is concerned. This is well seen in many cases in which
the exit opening is large as a result of deformation of the bullet, or
the passage of bone splinters in conjunction with it; here, in spite of
absence of all suppuration, the track may remain patent for many weeks.
This may point to infection, but the tardiness in actual consolidation
corresponds with what we are well acquainted with in the case of all
aseptic wounds when a slough has to separate or become absorbed, and i