OPEN JOINT. 359 



726. Wounds of the Hock Joint. 



Next to the knee, the Hock joint is most often injured. From its 

 great extent, injuries of this joint are even more formidable than those 

 of the knee. The general principles of treatment are the same as those 

 recommended for the knee. As, however, the hock cannot be bandaged 

 it clearly cannot be treated on the system of bandages advocated by some 

 Veterinarians for the knee. The patient must of course, be prevented 

 from lying down. 



A large proportion of cases of open Hock joint arise from punctures, 

 often caused by the pitchfork, and sometimes by the calkin of the hind 

 shoe of another horse. These, if taken in time, before inflammation has 

 set in, may often, as in similar injuries of the knee, be best treated by 

 the application of collodion or some such pledget or by a suture. 



The results of neglect or improper treatment are the same as in the 

 knee, namely violent inflammation and constitutional disturbance, fol- 

 lowed probably by either anchylosis, or by de'ath. 



727. Wounds of the Navicular Joint. 



Wounds of the Navicular joint are very rare. They are always punc- 

 tures arising from a nail running through the Frog or Commissure. If 

 the injury is detected at once, it may be healed by first intention. 



If, however, this treatment is not completely successful from the very 

 first, the seat of injury and a very wide circle round it should at once 

 be cleared out, so as to give the freest exit to the joint oil and any pro- 

 duct of inflammation which may probably occur. 



If this exit is kept open, until nature gradually closes the wound, there 

 is good hope of complete recovery. Nothing further can be done. 



728. Wounds of the Fetlcck joint. 



Wounds of the Fetlock joint need the same treatment as those of the 

 knee. As the joint, however, is comparatively small, and there is not 

 much motion in it, these injuries are more amenable to treatment than 

 those of the knee or hock. 



729. Wounds of the Elbow and 8/ioulder joint. 



The Elbow and Shoulder joint is sometimes, though but rarely pene- 

 trated. The wound, which has been generally caused by a shaft or some 

 such injury, is usually of a contused and lacerated character. The flesh 

 wound must be treated as recommended in the succeeding Chapter on 

 Flesh Wounds, whilst that of the joint will need the same treatment as 

 open joint at the knee. 



730. Wounds of the Stifle joint. 



These are generally caused by kicks. It is of course impossible to 

 bandage the part. The treatment is the same as that recommended for 

 the knee. 



