Ig4; VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



Whe7i the skin is cut, first thoroughly wash the cut to remove all dirt 

 and foreign substances, clip away the hair about it, and bringing the 

 edges together, fasten them by adhesive plaster, or by tow dipped in 

 styptic collodion, or shellac paste; never try sutures of any kind, they 

 would surely pull out when the limb was flexed. Put a light muslin 

 bandao^e around the knee and tie up the horse's head, so that he cannot 

 lie down for a few days. If the leg swells, remove the bandage and fo- 

 ment with the white lotion, adding one per cent of carbolic acid if any 

 suppuration shows itself. 



If there is much laceration, with perhaps a discharge of synovia from 

 the wound, the resulting inflammation may sometimes be very great, and 

 the swelling considerable, extending as high as the elbow-joint, and as 

 low as the foot; the whole limb being infiltrated with effusion and exu- 

 dation. The carpal joint becomes greatly enlarged by a fibrinous deposit, 

 which surrounds it, and the synovial discharge very profuse. Generally, 

 with proper treatment, such cases recover, if the tendon be not crushed. 



If the tendon has teen crushed, although neither lacerated nor divided 

 in any way, it may slough in the course of four or five days, its vitality 

 having been destroyed. This sloughing of the tendon is attended with 

 severe symptoms, and is a source of great danger to the animal's life. 

 The sympathetic fever becomes very high; the respirations and pulse 

 quickened; the bowels constipated; the urinary and other secretions ar- 

 rested; both the wound and tendon assume a dusky livid or leaden hue; 

 the discharge becomes foetid, sanious, mixed Avith blood, and the lame- 

 ness excessive. When the slough is removed, the carpal articulations are 

 exposed to view; the bones are inflamed, and of a red hue. The power 

 of extension is now lost by the separation of the tendon from its attach- 

 ment, and the limb is persistently flexed. If an attempt be made to ex- 

 tend it forcibly, great pain is inflicted. 



The treatment of such cases, whether the division of the tendon be 

 immediate or not, is a matter of anxiety to the veterinary surgeon, and 

 except when the patient is a valuable stud animal, it is better to destroy 

 it, for even if a cure is effected, the articulation will be anchylosed; and 

 a horse with an anchylosed knee is of little use. 



In the treatment of open bursa, or even when the skin only is divided, 

 it is always advisable to apply an immovable splint for the jnirpose of 

 preventing motion, and to prevent a horse from accidentally striking the 

 wounded knee against the manger, to turn him round in the stable, and 



