OPEN JOINTS 167 



upon bearing weight on the part as does the animal 

 with open joint. 



By probing we can usually make our diagnosis posi- 

 tive. We are told by many that probing should not be 

 resorted to, and this no doubt is true if it cannot be 

 done in an aseptic manner. We fail to see, however, 

 why there should be danger if we are careful to dis- 

 infect the wound and then use a thoroughly sterilized 

 probe. After probing we are in a position to give a 

 more accurate prognosis and treatment. 



Treatment. — The treatment of suppurative arthritis 

 is highly unsatisfactory, necessarily of long duration, 

 and in a great percentage of cases unsuccessful. The 

 death rate has resulted in the trial of drugs, with poul- 

 tices, blisters, continual irrigation with weak antiseptic 

 solutions, ointments of camphor, alum, calomel, and cor- 

 rosive sublimate. 



In the treatment of open joints, they may be divided 

 into two groups : 



1. Open joints, such as the stifle, shoulder, or elbow, where 



ankylosis cannot occur, or, occurring, would destroy the use- 

 fulness of the animal. 



2. Open joints which, if ankylosed, would not seriously impair 



the value of the animal, such as the smaller tarsal joints of 

 the corono-pedal joint. 



The first question to be decided when a joint is in- 

 volved in acute suppuration is whether an attempt 

 should be made to prevent ankylosis or whether the 

 process should be favored. 



Taking the first group, which comprises the more im- 

 portant joints and in which ankylosis would be dis- 

 astrous to the usefulness of the animal, we find it im- 

 possible, or at least impracticable in the larger animals, 

 to bandage these parts. If the joint is not infected by 

 the object causing the injury, it is almost certain to 

 become infected by exposure. In treating these cases 



