WOUNDS 221 



When met with, the track formed by the suppurative 

 process should be followed up in whichever direction it 

 has spread. This will often necessitate the removal of 

 the greater part, if not the whole, of the horny sole. 



Having given vent to the pus. and opened up the cavity 

 made by its formation, the foot should be placed in a hot 

 poultice or, preferably, in a hot antiseptic bath.* 



At the end of the third or fourth day the poultice or the 

 bath may be discontinued, and the opening in the sole 

 dressed with any suitable astringent and antiseptic. 



The most serious complication arising from this method 

 of treatment is one of excessive granulation of the sensitive 

 sole. This we find to be successfully held in check by a 

 daily application of undiluted Spts. Hydrarg. Perchlor. 

 (Tuson). Should the granulations become very exuberant, 

 then the knife must be called to our aid, and the wound so 

 made afterwards dressed with an astringent. 



When the suppuration has under-run the horny frog 

 there should be no hesitation in at once removing all the 

 horn that is visibly separated from the sensitive structures 

 beneath. 



When the os pedis is splintered and carious, a portion of 

 the sole round the wound is removed, and the bone exposed. 

 The diseased portion is scraped away either with curette 



: ' : At the time of writing- this, a certain amount of discussion 

 is going on in our veterinary journals as to whether a hot 

 or a cold bath is the one indicated. It is urged the application 

 of heat that it favours organismal growth and reproduction, 

 and tends rather to induce the spread of the suppurative pro- 

 cess than to overcome it. Those who hold this opinion urge 

 in support of it that cold application are inimical to the life 

 of the pus organism. At the same time, it must be remem- 

 bered that in just so far as cold inhibits the growth of the 

 invading germ, so in just the same degree does it adversely 

 influence the functions of the tissues that are to fight against 

 it. To our minds the question thus set up must always remain 

 more or less a mootpoint, and while we fully agree that cold 

 undoubtedly checks the growth of septic material, we just as 

 fully believe that warmth serves to place the healthy surround- 

 ing structures in a far better condition to maintain a vigorous 

 phagocytosis against it. YVe thus continue to advise a hot 

 antiseptic poultice, or, better still, a bath. — The Author. 



