INJURIES. 185 



lock-jaw) may result from the injury. Opened joint is 

 usually caused by a fall, but it may be caused by a thorn, 

 a nail, or a sharp-pointed instrument. 



Symptoms. — Knee clotted with dirt and blood; foot 

 rests on toe, not because the joint is painful, for recently 

 injured joints have little or no sensation, but because of 

 the painful ligaments, tendons, &c. In a day the parts 

 are hot, full, and tender, these symptoms increasing from 

 day to day. About this time the constitution sympathizes ; 

 fever ; pulse rises ; appetite and spirits lost ; mouth dry ; 

 eyes injected ; skin and limbs warm ; breathing disturbed. 

 The animal now exchanges its dull mood for watching 

 and irritability. If the irritation is not checked, it is 

 likely to exhaust the vital energies before the local in- 

 flammation even turns toward restoration. * 



Remedy. — Cleanse and foment. Antiseptic dressing. 

 Stitch, if the movement of the joint and tearing loose 

 can be prevented. Styptic colloid, collodion, or plaster 

 for support and protection. Splints and bandages. Sling 

 or tie up to prevent lying down. Half doses of physic ; 

 cooling diet. Let a weak antiseptic solution trickle over 

 a calico bandage lightly laid over the joint. Blister if 

 necessary. 



WOUNDED TENDONS 



Are usually caused by thorns, stubs, flints, kicks, treads, 

 &c. If properly treated, they usually end well. A ten- 

 don may be even severed, and yet be restored by approx- 

 imation. Thorns have been known to work themselves 

 out between skin and hoof. Some fester and discharge 

 themselves. Some are sloughed out with medicines. In 

 some cases the parts around the foreign substance be- 

 come hardened and continue so without lameness. It is 

 possible for tetanus to follow wounded tendons. 



Remedy. — Fomentations, poultices, cooling lotions. 

 Loosen as well as cool part. Sling. Splints, starch ban- 



