446 WOUNDS. 



cartilages ai^e absorbed ; the denuded bones inflame, and 

 ossific deposit forms a complete anchylosis ; or the horse 

 sinks previously by the symptomatic disturbance in the 

 system generally. 



Treatment. — When an accident has laid open an articular 

 or a bursal cavity, the grand indication of cure is to close 

 the opening made, which by stopping the synovial discharge, 

 will arrest the morbid inflammatory action. We learn, 

 therefore, that in these cases we may regard inflammation 

 as our most dreaded foe ; but it is equally certain, that we 

 must view it also in the light of our best friend, and most 

 active agent ; and that if it constitutes the disease, it is 

 equally necessary to the cure. It frequently happens that 

 we are not called in until several days after these accidents ; 

 and we find the part excessively tumefied, hot, hard, and 

 painful in the extreme ; accompanied, probably, with a 

 high degree of sympathetic fever. In such a case we de- 

 spair of success. If the swelling of the surrounding parts 

 be great, we may at all times decline to undertake the treat- 

 ment, for such a sign denotes that other neighbouring 

 structures are involved, and we no longer have a simple 

 open joint to deal with. 



When open joints occurred, the treatment was to employ 

 the heated iron, various burning substances, or diflerent 

 obstructions, as repeated folds of brown paper, several plais- 

 ters, and Indian rubber. The pain occasioned by these 

 measures was such as no man ought to inflict for double 

 the price of any horse ; since if his humanity were purchase- 

 able at such an amount only, the poor animal would escape. 

 All these abominations the following recommendations dis- 

 pense with. Let us suppose a very bad case. A horse 

 falls on a rough road, with a very heavy rider. The animal 

 not only opens the joint, but extremely bruises the knee. 

 This is a very serious injury. What is to be done ? Lead 

 the horse to some stable as quickly, but as gently as pos- 

 sible. When he is there, procure a pailful of clean tepid, 

 or warm water, and a soft sponge. With these carefully 

 dab the knees. Do not stroke them down, or try to wipe 

 them dry, but be content to dab a pailful over the knees, 

 and leave the drying to nature. Then take two ounces of 



