COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES OF THE KNEE. Ill 



composed of lintseed-meal. This must be allowed to 

 remain for about twelve hours, which will have at least 

 the eflfect of acting as a fomentation to the wound, and 

 assist in allaying the inflammation. When the poultice is 

 removed, if the capsular ligament of the joint has been 

 injured, then it will exhibit the synovia, or joint-oil, which 

 manifests a yellowish, glary, transparent appearance. If a 

 doubt still remains, then a second poultice should be applied 

 for the same length of time. Having ascertained the fact 

 that the joint has been laid open, and the flow of the oily 

 matter continues, and inflammation and gangrene follow, 

 this may to a certain extent be alleviated by washing all 

 round the wound, but not on it, with the following cold 

 lotion : — 



Goulard's extract . . 2 ounces, 



Vinegar ... 4 ounces, 



"Water .... 2 quarts ; 



to be applied with a sponge, which should always be repeated 



before any other application, such as a poultice, &c. 



Prompt attention must now be paid to closing the wound, 

 an operation which is only fit for the skilful hand of a 

 regular veterinary surgeon. But in cases where a veterinary 

 surgeon is far ofi", or cannot be had in proper time, the 

 closing of the wound may be efiected by a compress enve- 

 loping the entire wound, and allowed to remain at least 

 fourteen days before it is removed. It must, however, be 

 borne in mind that wounds from contusions of the kind 

 mentioned are very different from a simple cut ; as the edges 

 are irregular, and there is a consequent loss of substance, 

 which can only be restored by the tedious process of granu- 

 lation. It must therefore be evident that the less action in 

 the limbs the better, as if those tender, new-formed portions 

 are either stretched or bruised, it protracts the cure. 



