DISEASE OF BONES, JOINTS, ETC. 



a very trifling wound, which commonly ends in open joint (see 

 below). Serous abscesses are common results of bruises, and 

 it is in this way that poll evil, capped elbow, and fistulous withers 

 often arise, so that one cannot afford to treat an injury of this 

 kind indifferently. 



OPEN JOINTS. 



The joints most frequently punctured are the knee and 

 hock, though of course it may happen to any joint. When a 

 joint has been opened the so-called joint oil will be seen issuing 

 from it, the discharge being like, and the nature of, the white 

 of egg. If the j oint be flexed the lubricating fluid will ooze slowly 

 out. An open joint is at all times of serious moment, and very 

 often exceedingly difticult to cure. An opening into the capsule 

 of the joint may be brought about directly through some sharp 

 body penetrating into it, or indirectly through the sloughing 

 of contiguous parts. \Mien a horse falls and makes a deep 

 wound upon its knees or knee, extreme care must be exercised 

 to see whether there is any synovia issuing from the wound. 



The Symptoms consist of the continuous outpouring of this 

 white-of-egg-Hke material (synovia) ; the presence of a wound 

 or puncture ; and, very shortly, considerable swelUng of the 

 parts around the joint. Sometimes the animal is unable to 

 rise owing to the impediment through such, consequently one 

 occasionally comes across a horse that has been lying from the 

 effects of this disease lor several weeks. 



Paint the sore with collodion two or three times a day 

 and cover with a bit of cotton wool. Apply closely to wound 

 with a covering of oil silk or gutta-percha tissue, surrounding the 

 whole with a broad flannel bandage. Do not dress the wound 



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