PATHOLOGY. 43 



ruination, found his near fore-leg punctured in the 

 knee-joint, near the flexor tendon, and at every 

 motion of the joint, the synovial fluid pafsing through 

 the orifice as if from a syringe. The horse was 

 immediately properly secured, and I pafsed the 

 probe into the joint, with an intention to examine 

 if any extraneous substance remained in the wound, 

 as I had reason to suspect it was caused from a 

 splinter of wood, but could perceive nothing. 



" The orifice being large, I had small hopes of 

 succefs, but resolved on trying what effect the ac- 

 tual cautery would have, I got a piece of iron 

 made into the form of a budding-iron, broad at the 

 point, so as to completely cover the external open- 

 ing, and blunt, that it might not penetrate too 

 deep ; which, being heated to a proper degree, I 

 applied to the wound, taking care not to injure the 

 capsular ligament, and over it a large pledget of 

 tow was properly secured ; two quarts of blood 

 were taken from him, and opening medicines ad- 

 ministered. His diet was changed to warm mashes 

 of bran, with a few oats, and a little good hay. 



" I visited hi fn every day, and was grieved to 

 find the joint become very much enlarged, and the 

 synovia continuing to pafs through the pledget of 



