WOUNDS 221 



When met with, the track formed by the suppurative 

 process should be followed up in whichever direction it has 

 spread. This will often necessitate the removal of the 

 greater part, if not the whole, of the horn}- sole. 



Having given vent to the pus, and opened up the cavity 

 made by its formation, the foot should be placed in a hot 

 poultice or, preferably, in a hot antiseptic bath.* 



At the end of the third or fourth day the poultice or the 

 bath may be discontinued, and the opening in the sole 

 dressed with any suitable astringent and antiseptic. 



The most serious complication arising from this method 

 of treatment is one of excessive granulation of the sensitive 

 sole. This we find to be successfully held in check by a 

 daily application of undiluted Spts. Hydrarg. Perchlor. 

 (Tuson). Should the granulations become very exuberant, 

 then the knife must be called to our aid, and the wound so 

 made afterwards dressed with an astringent. 



When the suppuration has under-run the horny frog 

 there should be no hesitation in at once removing all 

 the horn that is visibly separated from the sensitive 

 structures beneath. 



WJten the os pedis is splintered and carious, a portion of 

 the sole round the wound is removed, and the bone exposed. 

 The diseased portion is scraped away either with a curette 



* At the time of writing this, a certain amount of discussion is going 

 on in our veterinary journals as to whether a hot or a cold bath is the 

 one indicated. It is urged against the application of heat that it favours 

 organismal growth and reproduction, and tends rather to induce the 

 spread of the suppurative process than to overcome it. Those who 

 hold this opinion urge in support of it that cold apphcations are 

 inimical to the life of the pus organism. At the same time, it must 

 be remembered that in just so far as cold inhibits the growth of the 

 invading germ, so in just the same degree does it adversely influence 

 the fmictions of the tissues that are to fight against it. To our minds 

 the question thus set up must always remain more or less a moot- 

 point, and while we fully agree that cold undoubtedly checks the growth 

 of septic material, we just as fully believe that warmth serves to place 

 the healthy surrounding structures in a far better condition to maintain 

 a vigorous phagocytosis against it. We thus continue to advise a hot 

 antiseptic poultice, or, better still, a bath. — The Author. 



