THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 393 



experience should tell bim that the dimensions, depth, and 

 magnitude of the wound are not at first to be ascertained. 

 Such knowledge is not to be acquired till the slough has 

 taken place." In this we agree ; we have often seen the 

 probe recklessly used — we believe to the aggravation and 

 extension of the injury. When the joint is ascertained to 

 be open, the injury must no longer be treated as a common 

 wound. Our prognosis in such case will depend on the 

 extent of the wound, particularly that in the capsular liga- 

 ment, and on the circumstance as to whether inflammation 

 has been set up in the cavity of the joint. 



Our object must now be to close the joint as quickly as 

 possible, and thus to prevent the escape of synovia. Unless 

 we succeed in doing this, the inflammation of the knee will 

 greatly increase, and the discharge of synovia become 

 augmented in quantity, partly coagulating as it escapes 

 from the knee, and hanging in large flakes from the wound; 

 the animal, from the pain experienced, keeps the knee in a 

 bent position, or paws with the foot continually. A vast 

 deal of fever is excited in the system, which in some cases 

 wears out the animal, and produces death. In other cases 

 bony substance is thrown out round the joint, which at 

 length closes the wound, but destroys the motion of the 

 joint, and renders the animal useless. 



It is, of course, important that the animal should be kept 

 perfectly quiet, and the leg as straight as possible. If the 

 horse can be slung conveniently, it will vastly facilitate 

 the cure; for he must not lie down, lest he opens the wound. 

 Mr. Turner's method is excellent in severe cases of open joint. 

 The wound being cleansed, he prepares a paste of wheaten 

 flour and table beer, mixed with a little bole armenian, 

 which he spreads thickly above and below and round the 

 knee. A pledget of tow is then wound round the joint and 

 covered with some stout brown paper, and over all a cotton 

 stocking. Outside the stocking is another layer of the paste, 

 and a calico roller bandage, six yards long, is passed out- 

 side, all wound round with a gentle and continuous pressure; 

 then another bandage of the same length the contrary way. 

 The horse, having been dressed, is then bled, and a laxative 

 is administered ; the dressing is not removed until the 

 joint is closed. It is understood that the horse is slung. 

 If the leg swells from pressure of the bandages, he makes 

 small cuts in each layer on each side the knee, but never in 



