TRAUMATIC INJURIES 125 



In the treatment of open arthritis of the hock some clinicians depend 

 entirely upon continuous irrigation with cold water, and this treatment 

 is attended with a considerable measure of success. The animal is 

 placed in slings and a hose pipe is passed over the croup, being attached 

 loosely to the back-band. It is then allowed to hang down the affected 

 limb and is attached to the breech-piece in such manner as to bring the 

 nozzle immediately over the wound. When the wound has closed and 

 the discharge of synovia has ceased, the acute symptoms having sub- 

 sided, the joint is blistered and the animal allowed to run out for three 

 or four weeks. 



Another method is the frequent application of some synovial styptic 

 such as oil of cloves or lime. 



Should the wound become septic and suppuration occur, prognosis 

 should be very guarded, for one of the most favourable results to be 

 expected is healing with anchylosis. In such cases of suppuration there 

 is usually a good deal of systemic disturbance, the animal declines to 

 feed and the temperature is elevated. The attempt at treatment 

 depends upon the seat of the wound. The further this is removed from 

 the tibio-tarsal joint the more favourable is the result to be expected 

 since, as we have already stated in our anatomical description, anchylosis 

 of one or more of the small joints might occur, and yet the power to 

 flex and extend the hock freely be retained, providing the inflammatory 

 process has subsided. If the tibio-tarsal joint is affected, treatment as a 

 rule is useless. 



Treatment in these cases consists in keeping the wound open for a 

 while, in order that free drainage may be provided, and the frequent 

 application of antiseptics. In addition, febrifuge and stimulating 

 draughts should be administered. 



