LAMENESS IN THE FORE LEG 115 



the surface surrountlinti' tlie wound is cleansed thoroughly, the 

 hair is shaved if possible, and the margin of the wound is cur- 

 retted and cleansed thoroughly with antiseptic solutions. 



If there is evidence that the articulation contains infective 

 material, it is washed out with copious quantities of peroxide 

 of hydrogen — usually as nnicli as six or eight ounces. This is 

 followed by injection of an ounce or two of tincture of iodin. 

 Even though the joint appears to be clean some tincture of iodin 

 is used, as it checks the secretion of synovia and is, in every 

 way, beneficial. Care is taken to apply the iodin also to the sur- 

 face immediately surrounding the wound. The entire wound is 

 then covered with a dusting powder composed of zinc oxide, boric 

 acid, exsiccated alum, phenol and camphor. 



This powder is used in abundance and the wound is then 

 covered with a heavy layer of absorbenc cotton and well ban- 

 daged. This bandage is not disturl)ed for at least three days 

 and may be left in place for a week. In cases in which it is 

 necessary to keep the dressing on for a Vv'cek, or in cases where 

 the patient is, through necessity, kept in quarters that are wet 

 or unclean, the first bandage is covered with a layer of oakum 

 which has been saturated in oil of tar and this in turn is held 

 in place by means of several layers of bandages. The Ijandages 

 are also saturated with oil of tar. 



In from one to two months wounds so treated, unless they are 

 foot-wounds, will be ready to dress without being bandaged. 

 It is ordinarily unnecessary to dress foot-wounds oftener than 

 every second week after the discharge of synovia has ceased. 

 When the wound has filled with granulation, a protective dress- 

 ing is applied which is rendered water proof by the use of 

 bandages covered with oil of tar. The patient can now be turned 

 out for a month or six weeks without disturbing the dressing. 

 After the removal of the bandages, the only treatment necessary 

 is an occasional application of some mildly antiseptic ointment. 



Except in nail pricks of the foot, occasioned by punctures, a 

 five per cent tincture of iodin is injected into open joints, if the 

 wound renuiins sufficiently open, and this treatment is continued 

 so long as there is a discharge of synovia. Surgical drainage is 

 established if it is considered practicable and the remainder of 

 the treatment is about the same as for wounds which are open. 



Open joints occur in horses at pasture and are sometimes not 

 discovered until several days or a week after the injury, and in 

 some instances the wounds are filled with maggots. The only 

 difference in the treatment of these cases is that more time and 

 care is taken in cleansing the wound, more curetting is neces- 

 sary, and after cleansing the Avound with peroxide of hydrogen, 



