468 BUREAU OF ANIMAL INDUSTRY. 



discharging a thin whitish or yellowish fluid — joint oil or water, which 

 becomes coagulated about the mouth of the wound and adheres to the 

 part in clots like jelly, or resembling somewhat the white of an egg. 

 Not infrequently the joint opens at different places, discharging at 

 first a thin bloody fluid that soon assumes the character above 

 described. 



Treatment of these wounds is most difficult and unsatisfactory. We 

 can do much to prevent this array of S3^mptoms if the case is seen 

 early — within the first twenty-four or fort3'-eight hours after the 

 injury; but when inflammation of the joint is once fairl}- established 

 the case becomes one of grave tendencies. Whenever a punctured 

 wound of a joint is noticed, even though apparently of but small 

 moment, we should, without the least delaj-, appl}^ a strong canthar- 

 ides blister over the entire joint, being even careful to fill the orifice 

 of the wound with the blistering ointment. This treatment is almost 

 always effectual. It operates to perform a cure in two ways — first, 

 the swelling of the skin and tissues underneath it completelv closes 

 the wound and prevents the ingress of air; second, by the superficial 

 inflammation established it acts to check and abate all deep-seated 

 inflammation. In the great majorit}^ of instances, if pursued soon 

 after the accident, this treatment performs a cure in about one week, 

 but should the changes described as occurring later in the joint have 

 alread}^ taken place, we must then treat by cooling lotions and the 

 application to the wound of chloride of zinc, 10 grains to the ounce of 

 water, or a paste made up of flour and alum. A bandage is to hold 

 these applications in place, which is only to be removed when swelling 

 of the leg or increasing febrile symptoms demand it. In the treat- 

 ment of open joints our chief aim must be to close the orifice as soon 

 as possible. For this reason repeated probing or even injections are 

 contraindicated. The only probing of an open joint that is to l>e 

 sanctioned is on our first visit, when we should carefully examine the 

 wound for foreign bodies or dirt, and after removing them the prol)e 

 must not again be used. The medicines used to coagulate the synovial 

 discharge are best simpl}' applied to the surface of the wound, on 

 pledgets of tow, and held in place by bandages. Internal treatment 

 is also indicated in those cases of open joints where the suffering is 

 great. At first we should administer a light physic and follow this 

 up with sedatives and anodynes, as directed for contused wounds. 

 Later, however, we should give quinine, or salicylic acid in 1-dram 

 doses tv,-o or three times a day. 



WOUNDS OF THE TENDON SHEATHS. 



Wounds of tendon sheaths are similar to open joints in that there is 

 an escape of synovial fluid, "sinew water." Where the tendons are 

 simply punctured by a thorn, nail, or fork, we must, after a thorough 



