BROKEN KNEES, OR OPEN JOINT. 



563 



\ \ 



All cases are alike dangerous, and are characterized by the 

 same general symptoms, and are liable to be attended by the same 

 consequences. They differ only in degree, according to the im- 

 portance and extent of the cavity exposed. 



Causes. — The causes of open joint are almost invariably ex- 

 ternal injury--in the knee from falling. The horse stumbles ; falls 

 upon his knees ; and should the ground happen to be gravelly, hard, 

 or stony, the knees are liable to be lacerated or cut through. 



In other joints the injury is usually caused by being accidentally 

 stabbed or cut. t 



Symptoms. ,-A.n giving an opinion in these cases, we must bear 

 in mind that the joint is not always open, although we haVe a dis- 

 charge of synovia from the wound ; we may have it from the theca, 

 or sheath, of some tendon, and it requires close examination in some 



cases to say which it comes 



from. What we imply by 



the term open joint, is where 



the skin, ligaments, tendons, 



etc., have been cut through, 



and the articulation laid 



open. 



In the first place, the an- 

 imal is very lame. On ex- 

 amining the wound with the 

 probe or finger, it is found 

 to penetrate the joint ; we 

 have a clear, oily fluid, which is very smooth and slippery to the 

 touch. The discharge may be very trifling, still it is not the less 

 dangerous. In most cases we have symptomatic fever, which often 

 runs so high as to cut the animal off. It is recognized by the quick 

 pulse, hot mouth, irregular heat of the surface,, costive bowels, and 

 the excruciating pain the animal evinces. 



Treatment. — This is the most important part of the subject. In 

 the first place, the animal must be removed ( to a comfortable stall or 

 loose box with a high roof, and well ventilated ; he must at once be 

 placed in slings, which should be gradually tightened until his toes 

 barely touch the ground. 



The wound must be washed out with tepid water, all gravel or 

 dirt removed, and the real extent of the injury ascertained. The 

 limb must then be placed in splints, well padded, and held together 

 by leather straps. A very convenient plan for the knee is to take 



Fig. 874.— Broken 

 Knees. 



Fig. 875— The Same with 



Hair Clipped from Edges 



of Wound. 



