82 DISEASES OF 



OPEN JOINT. 



Causes. This is usually caused by external violence 

 and frequently by sharp, pointed substances penetrat- 

 ing the parts covering a joint. It sometimes follows 

 an inflammation in .a joint where there has been no 

 puncture. 



Symptoms Intense pain ; if in the limbs, there will 

 be excessive lameness ; temperature raised, appetite 

 poor, and a discharge of a yellowish semi-oily fluid from 

 the wound ; this usually escapes in large quantity. 

 The animal frequently jerks the leg up, often refusing 

 to place the foot to the ground at all. If it is a joint 

 of great motion, as the elbow, knee, or fetlock in 

 the fore-limb, or the stifle, hock, or fetlock of the 

 hind limb, there will be very little hope of cure. The 

 only way a cure could result would be by having a bony 

 union effected between the two bones forming the joint. 

 This would result in a stiff, immovable joint, which 

 would leave the horse comparatively useless for work. 

 If the pastern joints are the ones affected, a stiff joint 

 will not render the animal useless, as they are joints of 

 quite limited motion. 



Treatment. If the joints of great motion are affected, 

 the animal had better be destroyed. If the joints of 

 limited motion are the ones affected, keep the outside 

 wound well open, and thus allow the full discharge of 

 pus and other inflammatory products from the joint. 

 The external opening may be kept open by inserting a 

 red hot iron. This should be done as often as required. 

 While there is any discharge, the outside should be 

 kept open, for it is a rule that all wounds have to heal 



