401 



and very painful. If the puncture involves the sesamoid sheath the 

 synovial fluid escaijes. At first this fluid is pure, like joint-water, but 

 later on it becomes mixed with the products of suiipuration and loses 

 its clear amber color. In these cases the supijuration generally ex- 

 tends up the course of the flexor tendon, an abscess forms in the hol- 

 low of the heel, and finally oj^ens somewhere below the fetlock joint. 

 The whole coronet is more or less swollen, the discharge is profuse 

 and often mixed with blood, yet the suffering is greatly relieved from 

 the moment the abscess opens. 



Wlien the wound reaches the navicular bone the lameness is intense 

 from the beginning; but, after all, the only certain way in which to 

 determine the existence of this complication is in the use of the probe, 

 and unless there is a free escai)e of synovia the probe should be used 

 with the greatest of care, else the coffin joint may be oj^ened. 



If the coffin joint has been penetrated, either by the offending instru- 

 ment or by the process of suf>pnration, acute inflammation of the joint 

 follows, accompanied by high fever, loss of appetite, etc. The ankle 

 and coronet are now greatly swollen, and in many cases dropsy of the 

 leg to the knee or hock, or even to the body, follows. If the process 

 of suppuration continues small abscesses appear at intervals on dif- 

 ferent parts of the coronet, the j)atient rapidl}- loses flesh, and may 

 die from the effects of the intense suffering and blood poisoning. In 

 other cases the suppuration soon disappears and recovery is effected 

 by the joint becoming stiff (anchylosis). 



When the wound is forward, near the toe, and deep enough to injure 

 the coffin bone, caries always results. The presence of the dead pieces 

 of bone can be determined b}- the use of the probe; the bone feels 

 rough and gritt}". Furthermore, there is no disposition upon the part 

 of the wound to heal. 



Besides the complications above mentioned others, equally as seri- 

 ous, may be met with. The tendons may soften and rupture, the hoof 

 may slough off, quittors develop, or sidebones and ringbones grow. 

 Finally laminitis of the opposite foot may happen if the patient 

 persists in standing most of the time, or lockjaw may cause early 

 death. 



Treatment. — In all cases of jjunctured wound of the foot the horn 

 around the seat of injury should be thinned doAvn, a free opening 

 made for the escape of the products of suppuration, and the foot placed 

 in a poultice. If the injury is not serious recovery takes place in a 

 few days' time. AVhere the wound is deejier it is better to put the 

 foot in a cold bath or under a stream of cold water, as advised in the 

 treatment for quittor. 



If the bone is injured cold baths, containing about 2 ounces each of 

 sulphate of copper and suli:)hate of iron, may be used until the dead 

 bone is Avell softened, when it should be removed b}' an operation. 

 The animal must be cast for this operation, the sole pared away until 



