384 DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 



pronounced when the lesion assumes more important dimensions, and 

 though a capped knee may be comparatively of little importance we 

 have seen cases in which not only extensive blemishes were left to 

 disfigure the patient, but the animals had become Avorthless in con- 

 sequence of the extension of the diseased process to the various ele- 

 ments composing the joint, and giving rise to the most complicated 

 cases of carpitis. 



Treatment. — Usually the first symptom of trouble is the edemat- 

 ous sw^elling on the front of the " knee." The prevention of the in- 

 flammation and consequently of the abscess, is the prime object in 

 view, and it may be realized by the use of warm-w^ater fomentations 

 or compresses applied over the swelling, which may be used either in 

 a simple form or combined with astringents, such as Goulard's ex- 

 tract, alum, or sulphate of zinc. The application of warm poultices 

 of oil meal or ground flaxseed, enveloping the whole joint and kept 

 in place by bandages, is often followed by absorption of the swelling, 

 or, if the abscess is in process of formation, by the active excretion of 

 pus. If an abscess forms in spite of these precautions it may be 

 treated surgically in several waj^s. 



In one it should be done by a careful incision, which will allow the 

 escape of the blood or the serum, or of the pus which is inclosed in 

 the sac ; in another it may be by means of a seton, in order that the 

 discharge may be maintained and allowed to escape ; for another we 

 may adopt the more cautious manner of emptying the cavity by 

 means of punctures with small trocars or aspirators. The danger 

 attending this last method arises from the possible sloughing of large 

 portions of the skin, while that attending the first is the hazard of the 

 possibility of the extension of the infliimmation to the capsular liga- 

 ment of the Imee, with the possibility of an open joint in prospect. 



As we have remarked, the cavity after being emptied may rapidly 

 close and leave in a short time but slight traces of its previous exist- 

 ence. But in many, if not in most cases, there will remain, after 

 the cicatrization is complete, a thickening or organized exudation at 

 one time round and well defined, at another spreading by a diffused 

 infiltration, to which it will be necessary to give immediate atten- 

 tion, from the fact of its tendency to form into an organized and 

 permanent body. To stimulate inflammation in this diseased struc- 

 ture, blisters are recommended, but chiefly for the purpose of promot- 

 ing the process of absorption. 



If this treatment fails, the use of iodin and mercurial preparations 

 is recommended. 



Plain mercurial or plain iodin ointment, or both in combination as 

 iodid of mercury, are commonly used, and may be applied either 

 moderately and by gentle degrees, as we have suggested, or more 

 freely and vigorously with a view to more immediate effects, which, 



