RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 143 



openings and give plenty of drainage, so that the wound will heal 

 from within first and avoid a closure of the outer surface until all 

 the inner structures have been replaced by natural granulation. In 

 making the incision you must be prepared to arrest hemorrhages 

 from the arteries and veins, which you are compelled to cut in order 

 to operate successfully. For this purpose you must provide your- 

 self with an artery or haemostatic forceps with which you can seize 

 the vessels and effect an immediate closure. It is also well to have 

 on hand a curved needle and braided or twisted silk which has been 

 tlu)roughly sterilized in a five per cent solution of lysol. All instru- 

 ments employed should be sterilized in this solution, as well as your 

 hands, and clean sponges which you may use for absorbing the 

 slight capillary hemorrhages. It is always better to employ a skilful 

 veterinary surgeon for this purpose if one can be procured in your 

 vicinity, one who is thoroughly acquainted with the anatomy of the 

 ]iarts and can perform the w^ork scientifically. The operation is not 

 expensive and is well worth attending to in time, if your horse is 

 worth keeping at all. Should you conclude to attenrpt this work 

 yourself and need further instructions, write to the author asking 

 for such information as you may desire, and you will receive a 

 prompt reply by mail. 



POLL EVIL 



Poll ]i\\\ is a fistula of the poll and is of tlic same nature as 

 fistula of the withers. Apply the same treatment. 



OPEN JOINTS 



Open joints arc usually caused by kicks, wire cuts, nail pricks, 

 or accidental wounds by which a joint is opened and the synovia 

 (joint water) allowed to escape. Wounds of this kind are always 

 dangerous, as the escaping synovia affords a most favorable medium 

 for the entrance into the system and propagation of dangerous in- 

 fectious germs. 



Syno\-ia can easily be distinguished from other discharges, be- 

 cause of being odorless and the flow increasing by each move of the 

 joint. When exposed to the atmosphere for a short time it will 



