LEGS OF THE HORSE, THEIR ACCIDENTS AND DISEASES. ;^41 



partakes of the character given above, especially in the latter particular, 

 and is accompanied by more or less fever, good appetite, gradual wast- 

 ing of muscular tissues, (though somet'mes the wasting of tissue is 

 rapid), tucked up appearance, hard unyielding swelling, with great sore- 

 ness to the touch, and extreme lameness, there need be no doubt but that 

 there is an open joint. 



What to do. — If neglected and allowed to run its own course it will be 

 fatal ill uhnost every case ; the horse will die from irritative fever, ex- 

 haustion and inanition. Sometimes it is fatal even with the best treat- 

 ment, therefore it is of the utmost importance that remedies be promptly 

 applied, and vigorously pursued. 



When an open joint is recognized, wash the wound with tepid water with 

 a few drops of oar1)olic acid in it ; if the wound is deep, and there is pus 

 mixed with the synovia, syringe it out gently, with the lotion. No. 6 ; gen- 

 erally, however, it is best not to syringe, probe nor push in the wound 

 any more than is a])solutely necessary ; but let all the treatment tend 

 towards filling up the wound with healthy granulations. As soon as the 

 wound is nicely washed, make a paste of the following; 



No. 19. 2 Drachms glj^cerine, 



1 Drachm carbolic acid, 

 Flour to make a thick paste. 



Make a plug of the paste and insert it into the wound ; then smear solid 

 extract of belladonna over all the hard swelling around the wound, and 

 let a cold poultice made of oil-cake meal go on over the whole. Change 

 the poultice and dress it twice a day. When the suppuration ceases, and 

 there is a clear flow of synovia, omit the plug and let the poultice come 

 directly in contact with the wound. Keep the horse as quiet as possible ; 

 curry food and water to him, so as to avoid the least motion. If it is 

 practicable apply apparatus to stiffen the joint during the treatment. A 

 convenient appliance will ])e described in the next article on broken 

 knees. 



The most difficult thing in the treatment of open joint is to stop the 

 flow of synovia without checking the flow of pus. For whenever there 

 is pus in a wound it nmst come out, or damage will l)e done ; at the same 

 time you cannot wash and syringe an open joint to get rid of the pus as 

 you would an ordinary wound, because that would tend to keep the 

 wound open and continue the flow of synovia ; consequently there is an 

 opportunity, usually, to display very fine judgment. Give, internally, 

 tonics composed of : 



No. 20. 2 Ounces pure sulphate of irou, 



2 Ounces chinehona bark, 

 Powder and mix. 



Divide into twelve powders. 



