LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 111 



capsule is sometimes punctured l)y sliarp pieces of wood or other 

 objects. In horses driven on un paved country roads the fetlock 

 is occasionally wounded by being struck against the sharp end 

 of some object, the other end of which is firmly embedded in the 

 ground. In one instance the author treated a case wherein the 

 fetlock joint was perforated by the sickle-guard of a self-binder. 

 In this case there occurred complete perforation causing two 

 openings through the cul-de-sac of the joint. Such wounds are 

 produced l)y implements which are, to say the least, non-sterile, 

 and this perforation of the uncleansed skin conveys infectious 

 nuiterial into the joint capsule. Yet in many instances, espe- 

 cially in country practice, no infectious arthritis results where 

 cases are promptly cared for. 



Symptomatology. — A difiPerence in the character of symp- 

 toms is evidenced when dissimilar causes exist. Small penetrant 

 wounds which infect the synovial membranes cause infectious 

 arthritis in some cases, whereas a wound of sufficient size to 

 produce evacuation of all synovia will, in many instances, cause 

 no serious distress to the subject, even wlien not treated for sev- 

 eral days. If it is not evident that an open joint exists and the 

 articular cavity is not exposed to view a positive diagnosis may 

 be early established by carefully probing the wound. In some 

 cases where a small wound has perforated the joint capsule, 

 swelling and slight change of relation of the overlying tissues 

 may preclude all successful exploratory probing. In such in- 

 stances it is necessary to await development of symptoms. 

 Twenty-four hours after injury has been inflicted, there is notice- 

 al)le discharge of synovia which coagulates about the margin of 

 the orifice, where synovial discharge is possible. Particularly 

 evident is this accumulation of coagulated synovia where wounds 

 have been bandaged — there is no mistaking the characteristic 

 straw-colored coagulum vdiich, in such cases, is somewhat ten- 

 acious. 



No diflPerence exists between otlicr symi)t()ins in infectious 

 arthritis caused l)y punctures, and non-infectious arthritis, ex- 

 cepting the intensity of the pain occasioned, the rise in tempera- 

 ture, circulatory disturbances, etc.; all of which have been pre- 

 viously mentioned, 



