WOUNDS 227 



was a small cavity, and the lameness had disappeared. On 

 February 15 the wound had completely healed, and its 

 borders were covered by a layer of thin horn. As the 

 animal was sound it was sent to work. 



The author directs attention to the rapidity with which a 

 large and complete wound cicatrizes after the operation for 

 gathered nail.* 



In the case of Penetrated Navicular Bursa, unaccom- 

 panied by the formation of any large quantity of pus, and 

 uncomplicated by necrosis of the aponeurosis, our aim must 

 be to maintain the wound in that happy condition. This is 

 doubtless best done by keeping the foot continually in a 

 cold bath, rendered strongly antiseptic by the addition of 

 sulphate of copper and perchloride of mercury. Should 

 there be intervals when the bath must be neglected, the 

 foot in the meantime must be kept clean by antiseptic 

 packing and bandaging, and a clean bag over all. This 

 treatment should be continued so long as the character of 

 the discharge denotes that synovia is running. If, in spite 

 of our precautions, the discharge becomes purulent, then 

 the track made by the penetrating object should be syringed 

 twice daily with a 1 in 1,000 solution of perchloride of 

 mercury. 



During the treatment it will be wise to shoe the animal 

 with a high-heeled shoe. We do not know as yet the full 

 extent of the injury. The navicular bone may be tending 

 to caries ; or necrosis of the plantar aponeurosis, all un- 

 known, gradually becoming pronounced. This calls for a 

 relief of tension on the perforans, and is only to be brought 

 about by the high-heeled shoe. 



The result of the inflammatory changes in the tendon, 

 aided possibly by the use of the high-heeled shoe, is to after- 

 wards bring about contraction. Where this has occurred, 

 and the animal walks continuously on his toe, the shoe with 

 the projecting toe-piece (Fig. 84) must be applied. AYhen 

 the continual use of the toe-piece appears inadvisable, the 



* Veterinary Record, vol. ii., p. 371. 



