806 INJURIES TO THE KNEE IN THE HORSE. 



successful. Failing success by these methods, excision may be 

 attempted, provided the animal's value justify operation. 



Wounds perforating the skin require complete rest, to prevent 

 formation of large cicatrices, and in addition general antiseptic 

 treatment. Very careful asepsis is required where the annular 

 ligament is lacerated or exposed. A circular bandage provided 

 with a dressing should be passed around the knee, being left rather 

 looser above and below, and the animal placed in slings or tied up 

 short to prevent its lying down. Sutures should be used where 

 practicable. Wounds which cannot be rendered aseptic should 

 be left open and treated by continuous irrigation with lukewarm 

 dilute sublimate 1 per 1500, or zinc chloride solution 1 to 2 per cent. 

 Goulard's extract is useful during the first few days, especially when 

 there is much discharge. At a later stage dry dressings like iodoform 

 and tannin, glutol, tannoform, boric acid, &c, may be used to form 

 a dry scab, under which healing proceeds. Excessive proliferation 

 may be checked by the occasional use of dried alum, or 5 per cent, 

 zinc chloride solution. 



The treatment of open joint calls for all the resources of 

 antisepsis. Provided purulent infection of the joint has not yet 

 set in, the wound must be carefully cleansed, washed with 

 sublimate or Cofectant solution, and an antiseptic dressing applied ; 

 but when suppuration has occurred, the only chance consists in 

 carefully disinfecting the parts and providing permanent irrigation. 

 This may at least be tried, and any special complications treated 

 on general principles. The chief points are to sling the horse, 

 immobolise the joint and observe the most careful antisepsis. In 

 animals of little value, and in cases where there is much suffering, 

 further treatment is scarcely advisable. 



Where a valuable horse has, by falling, produced a permanent 

 small cicatrix, denuded of hair, it may be advisable to perform the 

 operation proposed by Cherry, revived by Hunting, and perfected 

 by Vinsot. The object of the operation is permanently to remove 

 the scar, substituting a mere linear cicatrix, which, once covered 

 by hair, is almost imperceptible, even to the trained senses of an 

 expert. To succeed the strictest asepsis is necessary, and for a 

 considerable time the personal attention of the operator is required. 



The operating table described on p. 21 is almost indispensable 

 for the operation. Under any circumstances, it facilitates the aseptic 

 precautions and avoids the risks of a straw bed, a fruitful source 

 of wound infection. 



The instruments and dressings required include : — ■Clipping 



