336 



irrespective of which iDarticular joint is nffected, will be readily under- 

 stood. Yet there will be modifications in the prognosis in different 

 cases, in accordance with the peculiarities of structure in the joint 

 specially involved, as for examj)le, it is obvious that a better result 

 may be expected from treatment when but a single joint, with only its 

 plain articular surfaces, is the place of injury, than in one which is com- 

 posed of several bones, united in a complex formation, as in the knee 

 or hock. As severe a lesion as suppurative sjmovitis always is, and as 

 frequently fatal as it proves to be, still cases arise in which, the inflam- 

 mation assuming a modified character and at length subsiding, the 

 lesion terminates favorably and leaves the animal with a compara- 

 tively sound and useful joint. There are cases, however, which termi- 

 nate in no more favorable a result than the union of the bones and occlu- 

 sion of the joint, to form an anchylosis, which is scarcely a condition 

 to justify a high degree of satisfaction, since it insures a permanent 

 lameness with very little capacity for usefulness. 



Ajjpreciating now the dangers associated with all wounds of articu- 

 lations, however simple and apparently slight, and how serious and 

 troublesome are the complications Avhich are likely to arise during 

 their jirogress and treatment, we are prepared to understand and 

 realize the necessity and the value of early and promiit attention upon 

 their discovery and diagnosis. 



For simple bruises, like those which appear in the form of broken 

 knees, or of carpitis, simple remedies, such as warm fomentations or 

 cold water applications and compresses of astringent mixtures, sug- 

 gest themselves at once. Injuries of a more complicated charac- 

 ter, as lacerations of the skin or tearing of soft structures, will also 

 be benefited by simple dressings with antiseptic mixtures, as those 

 of the carbolic acid order. The escape of synovia should suggest 

 the prompt use of collodion dressings to check the flow and jjrevent the 

 further escape of the fluid. But if the discharge is abundant and 

 heavily suppurative, little can be done more than to put in i^ractice 

 the "expectant" method with warm fomentations, repeatedly applied, 

 and soothing mucilaginous poultices. Improvement, if any is possi- 

 ble, will be but slow to manifest itself. The most difficult of all 

 things to do, in view of varying interests and opinions — that is, in a 

 practical sense — is to abstain from "doing" entirelj", and yet we are 

 firmly convinced that non-interference, in the cases we are consider- 

 ing, is the best and wisest policy. 



In cases which are carried to a successful result the discharge will 

 by degrees diminish, the extreme i:)ain will gradually subside, and the 

 convalescent will begin timidly to rest his foot upon the ground, and 

 presently to bear weight upon it, and perhaps, after a long and tedi- 

 ous process of recuperation, he may be returned to his former and 

 normal condition of usefulness. When the discharge has wholly 

 ceased and the wounds are entirely healed, a blister covering the 

 whole of the joint for the purj^ose of stimulating the absorj)tion of 



