CHAPTER X 



DISEASES OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES 



A. WOUNDS OF THE CARTILAGES. 



To a consideration of this we shall devote but little space. 

 It is sufficient to say that any wound in the region of the 

 coronet should always be given the most careful attention. 

 More particularly should this be so when it is ascertained 

 that the wound has involved one of the lateral cartilages. 

 Wounds of non-vascular bodies such as these are always 

 slow to heal, and, by reason of their slowness, invite septic 

 infection. In many cases, in fact, it happens that they do 

 not heal at all. Instead, the injured part becomes necrotic, 

 is unable to cast itself off, and remains as a centre of 

 infection in the depths of the wound, thus constituting what 

 is known as a quittor. 



Apart from this, it will be remembered that the internal 

 face of the cartilage is in intimate contact with the pedal 

 articulation, especially anteriorly. Wounds in this situation 

 are, therefore, likely to penetrate the joint, giving us as 

 a complication of the injury the conditions of synovitis and 

 arthritis. 



Immediately a wound is inflicted in this position, attempts 

 should be made to insure thorough asepsis of the part. 

 When possible, by far the better way of accomplishing this 

 will be to wholly immerse the foot in a tub of cold antiseptic 

 solution, and keep it there for an hour three times daily. 

 During the times the foot is out of the solution the wound 

 should be protected with a pad of carbolized tow or other 



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