SUPPURATING SYNOVITIS OF THE CARPAL SHEATH. 



437 



I A V> 



m'0m 



foreign body. In order to settle the point the patient was fastened to 

 the table, and both sinuses vertically exposed. Exploration revealed 

 no foreign body, or necrosis. The wounds were cleansed with dilute 

 tincture of iodine, and an iodoform cotton-wool dressing applied. 

 During the day the temperature rose to 39"4° C. The dog refused 

 food, and was therefore fed on milk. The dressing was renewed every 

 day until the nth. 



On the 8th and gth the condition remained stationary. The animal 

 refused part of its food. It always showed 

 acute pain on manipulation of the knee. 



On the loth and nth signs of improvement 

 were noted. The animal seemed brighter, ate 

 with better appetite, and the knee was slightly 

 less sensitive. 



On the I2th the dog was much brighter, 

 left its kennel, and stood on the injured limb. 

 On removing the dressing, the end of a frag- 

 ment of rubber band was seen in the wound 

 on the external aspect of the knee (Fig. 54). 

 After extraction with forceps it was found to 

 measure three and a half inches in length, one 

 twelfth of an inch in width, and about one 

 thirtieth of an inch in thickness. 



The wounds were irrigated with carbolic 

 solution, and a cotton-wool dressing applied. 

 During the following days swelling and pain 

 rapidly diminished, and the limb was much 

 more freely used. 



At the end of a week the wounds had healed 

 and the dog returned home, though still slightly 

 lame. 



Remark. — This elastic band had divided the 

 skin, which healed over it, and in consequence 

 of its length and relaxed condition had re- 

 mained for two months in the tissues of the 

 knee without producing grave lesions. It had 

 been divided when the sinuses were exposed. 

 Although the limb was very little used, sufficient 

 movement had occurred to displace the frag- 

 ments, and cause one of the ends to appear in the wound. 



Fig. 54. 



SUPPURATING SYNOVITIS OF THE CARPAL SHEATH. 



145. A ten-year-old gelding, entered hospital December 15th, i8g6. 



During August this horse had fallen lame on the near fore-leg. A 

 veterinary surgeon who was consulted first applied a blister, and a 

 month later fired the knee in points. Two months after the last 

 operation the horse was returned to light work. It worked for about 

 a fortnight, when the lameness returned and increased in intensity, the 

 knee meanwhile becoming swollen. 



