96 WOUNDS AND BKUISES. 



it with tannoform, we may apply over it a thick covering of anti- 

 septic wood wool or antiseptic cotton wool, and bandage with mod- 

 erate pressure (p. 45). Here we should be most careful that the 

 soft material is evenly distributed round the leg ; that there is a 

 suthciency of it; and that the bandage, though it should give firm 

 support, is not put on too tightly. Considering how difficult it is 

 to keep dressings on the wound without interfering with the cir- 

 culation, it is often the best plan to content ourselves with dusting 

 the part freely over with tannoform and keeping it clean. At the 

 same time we must remember that judiciously applied pressure is 

 very valuable in getting the wound to heal in a healthy manner, 

 and in preventing subsequent thickening of the part. If there be 

 any discharge, we may gently syringe the wound two or three times 

 a day with an antiseptic solution (p. 67), and renew the tanno- 

 form as may be required. If it be difficult to apply the tannoform, 

 we may use a saturated solution of iodoform in eucalyptus oil. In 

 case we cannot get any of these drugs, we can use burnt alum. If 

 there be no discharge, it is best to let the wound heal in a dry 

 condition. 



"Very often a small piece of dead tissue will be seen presenting 

 a deadened, white appearance in the wound. This should be re- 

 moved by the curved scissors, otherwise it will act as a foreign 

 body " {Williams). 



If the animal has to be kept standing for a long time, slings 

 should be employed. The horse should on no account get his free^ 

 dom, until there is not the slightest probability of the skin cracking 

 in the event of his bending the leg. 



If the wound be sufficiently s^erious to warrant the fear of open 

 joint occurring, especially if the animal is restless, he should be at 

 oiice put into slings. 



If the tendon has been crushed, and not cut, the crushed part 

 may slough out after four or five days, and will leave the joint ex- 

 posed. Whether this occurs by sloughing, or by laceration of the 

 tendon, there is, then, great danger to the life of the patient. Even 

 if he recovers, he will have a permanently stiff knee joint. If the 

 injury be complicated by fracture of one or more bores of the knee, 

 recovery may be regarded as nearly hopeless. 



It is well to remember that the appearance of a flow of synovia, 

 even in considerable quantities, from the wound in a case of broken 

 knees, is no proof that the joint has been ojened; for the synovia 

 may be supplied from the synovial bursse which are in front of the 

 knee and which are not connected with the joint. 



It sometin)es happens that in a case of broken knees, the skin of 

 the lower edge of the wound has been rumpled back by the horse 

 sliding forward on his knees, when on the ground, at the time of 



