467 



of water, or a paste made u\) of flour and alum. A bandage is toliold 

 these apj)lications in place, which is only to be removed when swelling 

 of the leg or increasing febrile sj^mptoms demand it. In the treat- 

 ment of open joints our chief aim must be to close the orifice as soon 

 as possible. For this reason rex)eated x)robing or even injections are 

 contra-indicated. The onlj^ i)i'ohing of an open joint that is to be 

 sanctioned is on our first visit, when we should carefully examine the 

 wound for foreign bodies or dirt, and after removing them the probe 

 must not again be used. The medicines used to coagulate the synovial 

 discharge are best simply applied to the surface of the wound, on 

 pledgets of tow, and held in place by bandages. Internal "treatment 

 is also indicated in those cases of open joints where the suffering is 

 great. At first we should administer a light i)hysic, and follow this 

 up with sedatives and anodynes, as directed for contused wounds. 

 Later, however, we should give quinine, or salicylic acid in one-dram 

 doses two or three times a day. 



JFounds of tendons are similar to open joints in that there is an 

 escape of synovial fluid, "sinew water." Where the tendons are 

 simjoly punctured bj^ a thorn, nail, or fork, we must, after a thorough 

 exploration of the wound for any remaining foreign substance, treat 

 with the flour and alum paste, bandages, etc., as for oi)en joint. 

 Should the skin and tendons be divided the case is even more serious 

 and often incurable. There is always a large bed of granulations 

 (proud flesh) at the seat of injury, and a thickening more or less i)ro- 

 nounced remains. When the back tendons of the leg are severed we 

 should apply at once a high-heel shoe (which is to be gradualhj low- 

 ered as healing advances) and bandage firmly with a comj)ress mois- 

 tened with a 10-grain chloride of zinc solution. When i^roud flesh 

 appears this is best kept under control by repeated applications of a 

 red-hot iron. Mares that are valuable as brood animals and stock 

 horses sliould always be treated for this injury, as, even though 

 blemished, their value is not seriously impaired. The length of 

 time required and the exj^ense of treatment will cause us to hesitate in 

 attemi)ting a cure if the subject is old and comjiaratively valueless. 



Gunshot wounds. — These wounds are so seldom met with in our ani- 

 mals that an extended reference to them seems unnecessary. If a 

 wound has been made by a bullet a careful examination should be 

 made to ascertain if the ball has passed through or out of the body. 

 If it has not we must then probe for the ball, and if it can be located 

 it is to be cut out when practicable to do so. Oftentimes a ball may 

 be so lodged that it can not be removed, and it then wmy become 

 encj'sted and remain for years without giving rise to any inconven- 

 ience. It is often difficult to locate a bullet, as it is very readily 

 deflected by resistances met with after entering the body. Should 

 bones be struck by a baU they are frequently shattered and splintered 

 to such an extent as to warrant us in having the animal destroved. 



