TRAUMATIC INFLAMMATION OF JOINTS. 227 



Many cases when so treated make good recoveries ; but if 

 ulceration of the cartilage and removal of the laminal ends of 

 the bones occur (and this change will be indicated by haemorr- 

 hage, or by increased pain and twitching movements of the 

 limb), and if the articulation be one of extensive motion, the 

 attendant will understand that the repair can only be by anchy- 

 losis, and that anchylosis in such a joint will render the animal 

 unfit for further use ; but if the joint be one of limited motion, 

 the animal may become fit for slow work, even after the joint 

 has been destroyed. The animal's shoes should be removed, 

 provided this be done carefully, and before great lameness has 

 manifested itself. If one of the lower articulations, particularly 

 of the fore extremities, be the seat of the lesion, the animal can 

 be made to stand in a tub of cold water, and the trouble of affix- 

 ing the pipe for the purpose of irrigation be avoided. 



All cases of open joint require a long period of rest after 

 the wound has healed ; and it is generally necessary to blister 

 repeatedly, or even to fire, before the remains of the inflamma- 

 tion excited in the bones and synovial membrane are finally 

 removed. 



Several abscesses, some mere points of pus, others of a greater 

 size, form in the exudate which has been formed outside of the 

 cavity of the articulation during the progress of the disease. It 

 may be considered necessary to open them surgically, if they 

 cause increased pain. It may be well to do so ; but if they are 

 mere accumulations without pain, the cautious surgeon will not 

 interfere, rather allowing them to burst spontaneously. 



The horse should be kept in the slings until he is able to bear 

 a moderate amount of weight upon the affected limb. 



During the early period of the disease, the food must be spare, 

 light, and cooling; but when the fever has abated, it must be 

 of the most nourishing kind, in order to compensate for the 

 great waste of tissue and emaciation which are so characteristic 

 of open joint. 



DROPSY OF THE JOINTS, OR HYDROPS ARTICULORUM, 



Is a morbid condition, with or without inflammation, as in bog- 

 spavin, and its analogues termed wind-galls. In this affection 

 the synovia is more abundant and serous than is natural, and 



