444 WOUNDS. 



surgery, will give a wider field to his exertions, and increase 

 his chances of success. 



WOUNDS OF ARTICULAR AND BURSAL CAVITIES, 



The ruinous effects of these wounds to horses render a 

 due knowledge of the nature of the parts, the consequences 

 that ensue from injuries, and the curative means most 

 likely to obviate their effects, imperative on every veterina- 

 rian. Neither, in the whole round of the art, is there a 

 subject that will afford a more striking display between the 

 well-informed practitioner and the ignorant pretender ; 

 which has been well exemplified by a comparison between 

 the recovery accomplished by mild treatment, compared 

 with those sad results which often accompany the oppo- 

 site sort of measures. The anatomical detail is replete with 

 notices of vascular secreting membranes which pour fluids 

 on surfaces, or into sacs, appropriate to receive them. The 

 membranes which line the cavities of joints and of the 

 bursse mucosae thus secrete an albuminous liquid or glair, 

 which is admirably formed to resist the effects of friction. 

 To secrete this liquid in constant and due quantities, is the 

 function of these membranes, which are not formed to 

 endure the contact of atmosphere ; we cannot, therefore, be 

 surprised at the great irritation which occurs, on so sensi- 

 tive a vascular surface being exposed to the action of the 

 external air ; and when to this we add the effects of attri- 

 tion between the ends of the bones, or between the sides of 

 the tendons and their sheaths, we recognize in the divi- 

 sion sufficient cause for those violent symptoms which 

 are seen to accompany open joints, punctured hocks, or 

 even the accidental or purposed opening of a bursal capsule, 

 or wind-gall as it is termed. If the simple effects of attri- 

 tion, and the exposure of the secreting surface which 

 lines these cavities, is of itself sufficient to create a sympto- 

 matic fever that will endanger life, or to engender an irrita- 

 tion sufficient to produce tetanus, how much more are these 

 consequences to be dreaded, when to the effects of the acci- 

 dent are added the injection of the most acrid substances 

 within a cavity already inflamed by exposure ; and yet this 

 was the practice formerly, and the event was usually accom- 



