il4 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



In the average instance, however, semi-weekly treatments are 

 sufficient. And in many instances where one is obliged to travel 

 a considerable distance to handle the affected animal one weekly 

 dressing of the wound will suffice after the second treatment. 



The same general plan of treatment concerning the subject's 

 comfort that has lieen previously mentioned in arthritis, is car- 

 ried out liere. A further and detailed consideration of the 

 subject of handling of open joints follows.^ 



*•• * * Such wounds may be elassifi(Hl in two general groups 

 as follows: First, wounds in which the trauma has exposed 

 the articulation to view, and second, those the result of punc- 

 tures, in which the external wound is snmll and free drainage 

 is lacking. 



Wounds in which the articulation is exposed to view have 

 drainage either all ready provided for, or it is established with- 

 out hesitancy surgically. AVith free drainage thus established 

 there is little or no chance for the adjacent tissues to become 

 infiltrated with infected wound discharge. This prevents an 

 extension of the injury and the establishment of a good field 

 for the growth of anaerobic bacteria. 



Open joints caused by punctures, unless the puncture is 

 aseptic, produce a swelling which is more painful than is the 

 open wound which exposes the joint to view. Especially is this 

 true if the puncture is of small diameter, allowing the tissues 

 to partially close the opening immediately after the wound has 

 been made. Where drainage is lacking there follows an exuda- 

 tion which congests the tissues surrounding the injury and all 

 factors favoring germ, growth are present. It is perhaps advis- 

 able to establish good drainage in such cases as soon as a diag- 

 nosis is made. 



It is not always an easy matter to recognize an open-joint, 

 when first made, but twelve to twenty-four hours later there is 

 no cause for doubt. The condition is then a very painful one ; 

 lameness is excessive; there is rise in temperature; acceleration 

 of the pulse and manipulation or palpation of the region affected, 

 occasions great pain. 



The treatment of open joints must be varied to suit the dis- 

 position of the animal, the nature and location of the injury, 

 the length of time intervening 1)etween the infliction of the 

 wound and the first attention given, and flie surroundings in 

 which the patient is kept. 



In each and every case in which there exists an open wound 



'Open Joints and Their Treatment in my practice, by J. V. Lacroix, Amer- 

 ican Journal of Veterinary Medicine, Vol. 5, page 203. 



