LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 67 



Wounds. 



Wounds which cause a break of the skin and fascia overlying 

 the scapulohumeral joint are usually of little consequence, unless 

 the blow is of sufficient force to directly injure the articulation, 

 and in such cases, the treatment of the injury along general sur- 

 gical principles, such as cleansing the area, providing drainage 

 for wound secretion, and the administration of suitable dress- 

 ing materials such as antiseptic dusting powder, is all that is 

 required for the wound. The symptoms manifested by the sub- 

 ject in such cases are the same as have been discussed hereto- 

 fore and merit no special consideration. 



Prognosis. — Unless very serious injury be done the articular 

 portions of the scapula or the humerus, resulting in the destruc- 

 tion of the capsular ligament, prognosis is entirely favorable. 



Open Joint. — AVliere the capsular ligament is perforated and 

 the condition becomes one of open joint, then a special wound 

 treatment becomes necessary. The surface of the skin is first 

 freed from all hair and filth in the vicinity of the wound. The 

 wound proper is cleared of all foreign material either by clipping 

 with the scissors, curetting or mopping with cotton or gauze 

 pledgets. The whole exposed wound surface as well as the in- 

 terior of the joint cavity, if much exposed, is moistened with 

 tincture of iodin. Subsequent treatment consists in a local appli- 

 cation of a desiccant dusting poAvder, which should be applied 

 five or six times daily. The composition of the powder should 

 be such as to permit of its liberal use, thereby affording mechan- 

 ical protection to the wound as well as exerting a desiccative 

 effect. Equal parts of boric acid and exsiccated alum serve 

 very well in such cases. 



Animals suffering from open joints of this kind should be 

 confined in a standing position, preferably in slings, and kept 

 so confined for three or four weeks. Since they usually bear 

 weight upon the affected member, there is no danger of lamin- 

 itis resulting. 



Luxation of the Scapulohumeral Joint. 



Because of the large humeral head articulating as it does with 



