3IO THE FARM DOCTOR, 



OPEN JOINT. 



This results from an incised, punctured, lacerated , or con- 

 'tused wound, and will vary in gravity according to the nature 

 of the wound and the certainty of inflammation ensuing. Ii 

 there is a simple minute puncture or cut, the wound may close 

 witnout this result, but if the tissues are severely lacerated or 

 Druised, as in case of falls, etc., a certain amount of inflamma^ 

 tion must necessarily ensue. 



Ti-eatment. — Never probe such wounds. Sand or gritty 

 matter must be removed by a stream of tepid water or the most 

 careful picking, and the lips of the wound brought together it 

 necessary by stitches, but with as few as possible, and those 

 only passing through the skin. Perfect quiet must be secured 

 by slings, splints, bandages, or, if the opening is small, by a 

 blister enveloping the joint but leaving a clear space of an mch 

 around the wound. In the absence of the blister, the joint 

 may be irrigated with cold water continuously applied as for 

 ostitis, or a poultice may be applied with a weaK solution of 

 carbolic acid poured over its surface, or the same carbolic lotion 

 (i part to I GO water) may be appHed by means of saturated 

 cotton bandages covered with dry. Coagulating agents (povv- 

 dered alum, acetate of lead, sulphate of zinc, etc.) are some, 

 times used to close the wound by a clot of synovia, and if this 

 has been effected it should never be disturbed by picking or 

 dressing, but left to be expelled when the wound is finally 

 closed by the growth of granulations from its lips. The greatest 

 danger lies in the movement of the joint which stimulates the 

 secretion of synovia and keeps the wound open ; in the intro- 

 duction of atmospheric air into the joint, and in the decom- 

 position of the morbid liquids in the wound. Hence, perfect 

 rest, closure of the wound, and the use of antiseptics like 

 carbolic acid are all-important 



The general treatment is the same as for arthritis from other 

 causes. 



