182 LAMENESS OF THE HORSE 



edly many cases which are now lost, because of ignorance or 

 neglect on the part of the teamsters or proprietors of horses, 

 would lie saved by i)ronipt and rational treatment. 



Treatment. — The treatment of this condition falls so largely 

 within the dominion of surgery that we can give little more 

 than an outline here. 



In cases where there exists no evidence of open joint or open 

 tendon sheath as judged by the site of the puncture and degree 

 of lameness present (after having thoroughly cleansed the solar 

 surface of the foot and enlarged the opening in the nonsensitive 

 sole) a little phenol is introduced into the wound. In such 

 cases, where it is possible for the antiseptic to contact every part 

 of wound surface to the extreme depths of the puncture, in- 

 fection is prevented when such treatment is promptly admin- 

 istered. This may be considered as first aid, or emergency care, 

 and is indicated in all wounds of the foot whether the injury 

 be serious or almost insignificant. 



Subsequently one of two general courses may be pursued in 

 the treatment of cases of nail puncture. One, by the employ- 

 ment of means to keep the wound patent and injection of suit- 

 able antiseptics, or agents that are more or less caustic in con- 

 junction with strict observance of asepsis and wound protection. 

 The other method consists in prompt estal)lishment of drainage 

 by surgical means and includes exploration and curettage. 



The first method is better adapted to the use of the average 

 general practitioner and he would do well to keep the opening 

 in the nonsensitive structures patent. By introducing equal 

 parts of tincture of iodin and glycerin daily, good results will 

 follow in most instances. The wound is protected in unshod 

 horses, either by completely bandaging the foot and retaining, 

 in contact with the wound, cotton that is saturated with iodin 

 and glycerin, or, if a minor injury exists, the moderately en- 

 larged opening in the nonsensitive sole or frog, which has been 

 moistened with the antiseptic, is packed with a very small quan- 

 tity of cotton. A little practice in this mode of closing benign 

 puncture wounds will enable tlie practitioner to successfully 

 protect the sensitive parts in the treatment of such cases in un- 

 shod countrv horses. 



