88 ON LAMENESS, 



to thicken, and bony matter is thrown out from 

 the heads of the bones, which unites them into 

 one solid mass, and the use of the joint is irre- 

 coverably lost. 



Wounds of this description require a very 

 different treatment from all others ; for relax- 

 ants and emollients tend but to increase their 

 bad properties. 



As ligaments are not so vascular as muscles, 

 they are consequently much slower in forming 

 granulations, or, in other v/ords, they do not 

 possess so completely the powers of regenera- 

 tion. Hence, as soon as it is ascertained that 

 the ligament is perforated, the injured part 

 should be stimulated by an active caustic, such 

 as butter of antimony, or else by the applica- 

 tion of the actual cautery to the edges of the 

 wound. The external surface may be dressed 

 with common digestive ointment, and the whole 

 defended as much as possible from the air. 



BONE 



