155 



Treatment. — When the scarf skin only is bruised, the 

 horse must be kept at rest, the part tightly bound with a 

 broad linen bandage, which should be kept constantly satu- 

 rated with cold water. This simple treatment is the best, 

 and must be continued until all soreness and swelling are 

 gone. When the hair roots are uninjured no blemish re- 

 mains, and until the hair grows the baldness may be con- 

 cealed by the use of lamp-black and oil; the rapid growth 

 of smooth hair is encouraged by rubbing the part with castor 

 oil, and if it should appear tardily, with an occasional dress- 

 ing of diluted tincture of Cantharides. If, however, the hair 

 roots should be destroyed, a cicatrix remains in spite of all 

 the vaunted oils and other specifics. 



When joint oil (synovia) flows from the wound, it is gene- 

 rally a very serious injury, and at once demonstrates the 

 nature of the accident, this fluid may either proceed from the 

 sheath of the large tendon or from the true joint itself; in 

 any case it is a lesion requiring the skill and patience of the 

 best surgeons. 



The management of open joints consists in local and con- 

 stitutional treatment ; the first thing to be done (when it is 

 ascertained that the joint is exposed) is, sling the animal if 

 possible, carefully remove with water and a sponge all gravel 

 or dirt that may have got into the opening, for it is useless 

 to expect the parts to heal until all foreign matter is re- 

 moved. Avoid all probing of the orifice, for it will only 

 irritate and endanger the limb. Never try to rudely plug up 

 the opening with lime, alum, flour, or any mechanical inven- 

 tion. 



Removing weight and pressure from the injured parts by 

 slinging and keeping the part in a fixed position prevents 

 the restless jerking of the limb, the outpouring of the syno- 

 via, as well as the demand for more. After removing the 

 dirt, etc., a simple poultice of linseed meal may be applied 

 for two or three days ; this must be kept moistened with the 

 following : 



