206 VETERINAKY MEDICINE AND 6UKGEEY. 



rounding structures, adds to the suffering of the animal, and, in too 

 many cases, causes its death. 



The application of a blister to the whole surface of the joint is the 

 most successful treatment that can be adopted if the wound has failed to 

 heal by the primary or adhesive process. The blister acts by removing 

 pain, limiting motion, exciting the formation of healthy granulations, 

 and (as a result of the swelling it produces) causing the approximation 

 of the snrfaces of the wound. 



The coagulum of synovia which accumulates upon the wound should 

 never be removed, as it prevents the admission of air and of organic 

 germs into the joint, and thus limits the formation of pus. 



Many cases when so treated make good recoveries; but if ulceration 

 of the cartilage and removal of the laminal ends of the bones occur (and 

 this change will be indicated by haemorrhage, or by increased pain and 

 twitching movements of the limb), and if the articulation be one of ex- 

 tensive motion, the attendant will understand that the repair can only 

 be by anchylosis, and that anchylosis in such a joint will render the ani- 

 mal unfit for further use; but if the joint be one of limited motion, the 

 animal may become fit for slow work, even after the joint has been 

 destroyed. The animal's shoes should be removed, provided this be 

 done carefully, and beforo great lameness has manifested itself. If one 

 of the lower articulations, particularly of the fore extremities, be the 

 seat of the lesion, the animal can be made to stand in a tub of cold 

 water (see Fig. 2) and the trouble of affixing the pipe for the purpose 

 of irrigation be avoided. 



All cases of open joint require a long period of rest after the wound 

 has healed; and it is generally necessary to blister repeatedly, or even to 

 fire, before the remains of the inflammation excited in the bones and sy- 

 novial membrane are finally removed. 



Several abscesses, some mere points of pus, others of a greater size, 

 form in the exudate which has been formed outside of the cavity of the 

 articulation during the progress of the disease. It may be considered 

 necessary to open them surgically, if they cause increased pain. It may 

 be well do so; but if they are mere accumulations without pain, it is bet- 

 ter not to interfere, rather allowing them to burst spontaneously. 



The horse should be kept in the slings until he is able to bear a mod- 

 erate amount of weight upon the affected limb. 



During the early period of the disease, the food must be spare, light, 



