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ally of trifling account, a different prognosis must be pronounced when 

 the lesion assumes more important dimensions; and though a capped 

 knee may be comparatively an affair of little importance we have seen 

 cases where not only extensive blemishes were left to disfigure the pa- 

 tient, but where the animals had become worthless in consequence of 

 the extension of the diseased process to the various elements of struct- 

 ure composing the joint, and giving rise to the most complicated cases 

 of carpitis. 



We have seen that usually the first symptom which is observed is the 

 cedematous swelling on the fore part of the knee, the first lesion, in 

 fact, and therefore requiring immediate attention. The prevention of 

 the inflammation, and consequently of the abscess, is the prime object 

 in view, and it may be realized by the use of warm water fomentations 

 or compresses applied over the swelling, which may be used either in 

 a simple form or combined with astringents, such as Goulard's extract, 

 alum, or sulphate of zinc. The application of warm jioultices of oil 

 meal or ground flaxseed, enveloping the whole joint and kept in place 

 by bandages, is often followed by absorption of the swelling, or, if the 

 abscess is in process of formation, by the active secretion of pus. 

 If the formation of a tumor has followed this treatment, or if it has de- 

 veloped from its inception, it becomes an immediate necessity to empty 

 it, and the mode of accomplishing this will vary with different cases. In 

 one it should be done by a careful incision, which will allow the escape of 

 the blood of the serum, or of the pus which is inclosed in the sac; in 

 another it may be by means of a seton, in order that the discharge may 

 be maintained and allowed to escape; and for another the more cau- 

 tious mode may be adox)ted of emptying the cavity by means of punc- 

 tures with small trochars or aspirators. The danger attending this last 

 method arises from the possible sloughing of large portions of the skin, 

 while that attending the first is the hazard of the possibility of the ex- 

 tension of the inflammation to the capsular ligament of the knee, with 

 the risk of an open joint in prospect. 



As we have remarked, the cavity, after being emptied, may rapidly 

 close and leave in a short time but slight traces of its previous exist- 

 ence. But in many, if not in a majority, of cases there will remain 

 after the cicatrization is complete a thickening or organized exudation, 

 at one time round and well defined, at another spreading by a diffused 

 infiltration, to which it will be necessary to give immediate attention, 

 from the fact of its tendency to form into an organized and permanent 

 body. To stimulate inflammation in this diseased structure blisters are 

 recommended, but chiefly for the purpose of promoting the process of 

 absorption. If this treatment should fail, the use of alteratives prosier 

 is recommended, mercury and its compounds and iodine preparations 

 probably receiving a majority of suffrages. Plain mercurial or plain 

 iodine ointment, or both in combination as iodide of mercury, are com- 

 monly used, and may either be applied moderately and by gentle de- 



