98 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



eovery, that is to say, the member may regain its usefulness as 

 a weight-supporting- part, but because of restricted or abolished 

 joint function, locomotion is more or less difficult. Exostoses, 

 articular and periarticular, occur and the carpus usually be- 

 comes a large immobile articulation. There is danger of infec- 

 tion resulting in simple carpal fractures and, needless to say, 

 in a compound- comminuted fracture of the carpus, infection 

 usually occurs and a fatal outcome is probable. 



When treatment is instituted, antiseptic precautions are taken 

 in handling the compound fractures, and in any case immobiliza- 

 tion of the parts is sought. Here, as has been previously pointed 

 out, it is best to employ leather splints, so that a maximum de- 

 gree of rigidity with a minimum of distress and inconvenience 

 to the patient will result. The leg must be bandaged from the 

 hoof upward, making use of a sufficient amount of cotton to 

 ensure against pressure-necrosis. The leather splints are placed 

 mesially and laterally and, of course, need to extend as high 

 as the proximal end of the radius. SuL-jects must be kept in 

 slings until union of bones has become established, and as a 

 rule there will then exist marked ankylosis. 



There is no particular difference in the handling of carpal 

 luxation and dislocation of other bones. Where ligaments have 

 not been destroyed to the extent that reduction is of no prac- 

 tical use, the parts are kept immobilized, if thought necessary. 

 Later, vesication of the whole pericarpal region is done and the 

 subject allowed exercise at will. 



Carpitis. 



Etiology and Occurrence. — Inflammation of the carpus is 

 caused by contusions, such as are occasioned in falling, by kicks 

 by striking the carpus against objects in jumping and some- 

 times by striking it against the manger in pawing. The con- 

 dition is of rather frequent occurrence. 



Symptomatology. — Evident symptoms of inflammation in 

 carpitis are always present — hyperthermia, supersensitiveness 

 and swelling. Also, there exists lameness which is characterized 

 by an a])parent inability to flex the leg, and there is eircum- 



