COMPLAINTS AND INJURIES OF THE KNEE 89 



Opened by the point of the probe. But should a doubt 

 remain as to its being open, then a poultice must be 

 applied composed of linseed meal and carbolised water. 

 This may be allowed to remain for about eight hours, 

 which will have at least the effect of acting as a 

 fomentation to the wound, and assist in allaying the 

 inflammation. When the poultice is removed, if the 

 capsular ligament of the joint has been injured, or the 

 sheath of a tendon laid open, then it will exhibit the 

 synovia, or joint-oil, which manifests a yellowish, glary, 

 transparent appearance. If a doubt still remains, 

 then a second poultice should be applied for the same 

 length of time. Having ascertained the fact that 

 the joint has been laid open by the flow of the oily 

 matter, an attempt must be made to close it, and 

 with this object tie up the horses head and apply 

 carbolic liniment to the injured parts. Tow saturated 

 with carbolic liniment should also be applied to the 

 knee and kept in position by bandage. 



Prompt attention must be paid to closing the 

 wound, an operation which is only fit for the skilful 

 hand of a regular veterinary surgeon. It must be 

 borne in mind that wounds from contusions of the 

 kind mentioned are very different from a simple cut ; 

 as the edges are irregular, and there is a consequent 

 loss of substance, which can only be restored by the 

 tedious process of granulation. It must therefore be 

 evident that the less action in the limbs the better, as 

 if those tender, new-formed portions are either stretched 

 or bruised, it protracts the cure. 



If the cut in the joint be large, and the joint-oil 

 continues to exude from it, and the horse exhibit 

 symptoms of suffering much pain, it may be con- 

 sidered that the wound has become associated with 

 ulcerative disease of the bones, and under the circum- 



