BROKEN, CHIPPED, OR ABRADED KNEES 95 



have a large hollow cavity with lacerated edges. In such cases also it is 

 not uncommon to find the wound extending for some distance downwards 

 from the cutaneous opening, owing to the animal " skidding " along the 

 ground, and the consequent forcing of sharp foreign bodies such as small 

 stones into the wound. Such cases are very common in Wales, and other 

 hilly parts, when the roads are dressed with metal without the use of 

 a steam roller. 



There may be a synovial discharge from the wound, which may either 

 come from the joint itself or from the sheaths of the tendons, depending 

 upon the extent of the injury. It is not a matter of much moment to 

 ascertain which, since the treatment is the same. 



In treating these cases, particular attention must be paid to the 

 thorough cleansing of the part. All foreign material such as grit should 

 be removed. It is frequently advisable to wash out with force by turning 

 on a hose-pipe. Should the cavity extend downwards some distance from 

 the cutaneous opening, it becomes necessary and ultimately advantageous 

 to make a clean-cut vertical slit in the skin, and lay back the two little 

 flaps, or make a dependent opening through which the wound may be 

 irrigated. If this be not done in such cases, healing is greatly retarded, 

 since it is a practical impossibility to cleanse the wound effectively, with 

 the result that we get suppuration of the wound, rendering frequent 

 dressing and disinfection necessary. Having satisfactorily cleansed the 

 part, a large soft pad of cotton wool or tow should be taken and sprinkled 

 over with a quantity of dry antiseptic dressing (boracic acid, oxide of 

 zinc, and iodoform), which, if there is a synovial discharge, might also 

 include some styptic such as powdered alum. This pad is then applied 

 to the wound and moulded over the front of the joint. Two rolls should 

 be placed at the back of the joint, and the joint is bandaged tightly after 

 the manner already described in treating bumped knee. The animal is 

 then placed in slings, or failing these his head is tied up to the rack. If 

 the animal is easy, the bandage should not be removed for from four to 

 five days, when it should be taken off and the process repeated. The 



