302 thp: practice op^ veterinary medicine. 



ing and allaying irritation of the parts. Wheat-flour and 

 oatmeal make a good poultice, and have a tendency to 

 coagulate the synovial fluid. Remove and apply a fresh 

 poultice two or three times daily. When a coagulum of 

 synovia forms, closing the mouth of the wound, great care 

 should be taken not to disturb it, as its presence will not 

 only prevent any further escape of sj'novia, but will also 

 prevent the entrance of air into the articular cavity, both 

 of which are matters of the utmost importance. After the 

 coagulum is formed a vesicant may be employed, extending 

 completely around the articulation, and investing a con- 

 siderable surface. Refrigerants are also of use if applied 

 judiciously and at the proper time. The medicinal remedies 

 are opium, in the usual sized dose to allay excessive pain ; a 

 laxative or a mild cathartic, folloAved by diuretics, is A^alu- 

 able to allay inflammator}' action ; and for the same purpose 

 an occasional dose of aconite may be administered at the 

 discretion of the practitioner. As before stated, if the pus 

 be of a sanious or fetid character, the best result that can 

 be hoped for is anchylosis. Carbolic acid and white lotion 

 should be used in such a case ; and in summer cold water 

 \vill be found valuable to allay irritation, but on no account 

 should the wound be injected. If the wound is a pretty 

 extensive one, and there is nothing but synovia issuing 

 from it, it should be closed as quickly as possible with 

 suture of silver wire, silk, or catgut, and treated as above 

 directed ; but if there is a discharge of pus, the wound 

 must not be closed, or the pus, being unable to escape, will 

 burrow in various directions between the bones and through 

 the soft tissues, and render hopeless a case that might 

 otherwise have made a very good recovery. If the knee- 

 joint be the one opened, the parts may be kept quiet and 

 immovable (and great benefit derived thereby) by the use 

 of splints. Sometimes granulations, more or less exuber 



