BKOKJSjST KNEES, OR OPEN JOINT. 973 



cold, and continued until the granulations spring up from the bot- 

 tom to close the wound. This simple plan of treatment is infi- 

 nitely more soothing, and at, the same time more successful, than 

 the former methods of plastering it up with lime, flour, powdered 

 bluestone, oxide of zinc, white vitriol, etc. To some, these may 

 seem very convenient and effectual methods of stopping the dis- 

 charge, and, doubtless, in some cases they may succeed if circum- 

 stances are favorable; but in many cases when an artificial plug 

 is thus formed, it merely plugs it up for a little time. By and 

 by, ulceration of the skin occurs, the plug falls out before the in- 

 ternal parts have healed, and the consequence is, that we have a 

 far larger and more dangerous wound than before. In changing 

 the poultice, be sure not to remove any of the coagula of synovia 

 that may have formed around the opening. The poultice must be 

 simply removed and changed, without washing the wound. 



When the granulations become extuberant, they can be regu- 

 lated by squeezing a sponge of cold water over it, or dust on a 

 little oxide of zinc. Nothing, however, must be injected into the 

 wound, as is sometimes done. Punctured wounds of joints must 

 be treated on the same principle; the joint must be kept perfectly 

 still, and the granulations encouraged by poultices, etc. 



Very often there are wounds in front of the knees, usually 

 caused by falling or striking against some hard object, which may 

 be more or less severe, according to circumstances. In a simple 

 case of ebrasion, but little if any treatment will be necessary; if 

 much bruised with skin broken, tie short to a high rack to pre- 

 vent lying down. Bandage the part tightly and keep wet with a 

 mild astringent, such as 



\ ounce sugar of lead, 

 50 or 60 drops carbolic acid, 

 3 pints to 2 quarts water. 

 Keep the horse quiet until the inflammation is subdued. 



The best lotion in my j udgment for these bruises and superfi- 

 cial cuts of the skin, is collendula. It has the best effect in re- 

 ducing inflammation of a bruise and cut of this kind of anything 

 I know of. (See Collendula in list of medicines used.) 



