124 THE SURGICAL ANATOMY OF THE HORSE 



and quite commonly it is the result of an injury caused by barbed wire 

 whilst taking a fence. 



The extent of the injury depends to a considerable degree upon the 

 seat of the wound. If on the outer aspect of the joint, which is the 

 most common seat, and low down, there may be considerable haemor- 

 rhage through laceration of the large metatarsal artery. This is dealt 

 with elsewhere. A sharp calkin may inflict a clean-cut incision of 

 considerable depth and lead to an open arthritis. A small punctured 

 wound by barbed wire may produce a similar effect. In these latter 

 cases the puncture is usually very small and has to be carefully sought 

 for. If the limb be examined a thin streak of synovia will be observed, 

 and at the upper end of the streak a very small puncture will be found. 

 The seat of the wound having been discovered, the particular joint 

 punctured will be gathered from the anatomical description given, and it 

 will be obvious that the most serious wounds are those which open into 

 the tibio-tarsal or true hock joint. 



There is severe lameness. The animal rests its foot on the toe or 

 may hold it two or three inches from the ground. The joint rapidly 

 swells and all the symptoms of acute inflammation are presented. 



At first the swelling is soft, but later it becomes much harder. 



Treatment should be prompt. If the case is seen early and there is 

 no evidence of suppuration, efforts should be immediately made to close 

 the wound. In cases of small punctured wounds, probably the most 

 effective method is to blister the surrounding area with biniodide of 

 mercury ointment on account of its antiseptic properties. This quickly 

 causes a swelling of the parts and brings about the closure of the wound. 

 In other cases it may be necessary to bandage the joint. The wound 

 should be washed out, and a pad of tow or cotton-wool, plentifully 

 sprinkled with dry dressing, applied. Fairly tight bandaging is necessary, 

 and the bandage should be left in position for two or three days, when it 

 may be removed and re-applied with a fresh application of dry dressing. 

 The patient is of course placed in slings. 



