SPRAINS AND INJURIES TO THE ARTICULATIONS 377 



Shave the hair from the area and disinfect the surface with 

 bichlorid of mercury and glycerin (1 to 500). Saturate gauze 

 or cotton with this solution and apply under a bandage, if 

 possible. When infection is already present it is advisable 

 to open the wound so that adequate drainage will be brought 

 about. Use the same solution as above and inject it into the 

 articulation. Apply a protective dressing. Repeat this 

 treatment at least twice daily. 



SPRAINS AND INJURIES TO THE ARTICULATIONS. 



In the larger number of injuries occurring in small animals 

 it frequently happens that the structures around the joints 

 are torn or otherwise injured without an external wound. 

 This condition may occur in any of the articulations. As 

 soon as the injur}' occurs the synovial secretion is increased 

 in amount, and the adjacent tissues are often edematous. 



Symptoms.— The condition develops suddenly following- 

 injury, or violent exercise. The articulation soon becomes 

 enlarged, very hot and painful to the touch. The patient 

 refuses to bear any weight on the limb. Careful examina- 

 tion must be made to differentiate sprains from fracture or 

 dislocation. Distortion, increased movement, and crepitus 

 found in fractures are absent in this condition. The normal 

 position of the bones would exclude dislocation. In severe 

 cases the swelling may be so extensive as to interfere with 

 making a positive and early diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— Most cases of sprains recover. 



Course.— The course depends upon the degree of injury. 



Treatment.— The animal should be confined in a quiet 

 place for several days. Cold applications in the form of cold 

 water, or better, ice packs, should be applied during the 

 first twenty-four to thirty-six hours. The packs are changed 

 frequently to keep up the refrigeration. Follow this treat- 

 ment with hot water, or liniment (iodin liniment, white 

 liniment) applied once or twice daily. Massage the parts 

 thoroughly. The latter treatment should be continued for 

 two to three weeks, if necessary. 



