BEOKBN KNEES. 487 



pass tMs end tehind the bandages, and turn the tap so as to 

 allow the water to flow upon the sponges ; the stream of water 

 down the flexible tube can be regulated by the tap situate at 

 the bottom of the vessel. It is not desirable to have a strong 

 current, as it would wet the limb and the floor of the stall too 

 much, and empty the tin vessel too rapidly. By having two or 

 three taps soldered into the tin vessel, and as many india-rubber 

 tubes attached, it is clear that small currents of water can be 

 directed to any part of the knee joint, and the currents kept 

 flowing so long as the tin vessel is supplied with water. In 

 this manner the inflammation within the joint may in numerous 

 cases be efiectually controlled. 



The best remedies for internal use, and the general prin- 

 ciples relating to the treatment of Sympathetic Fever, I have 

 already detailed and treated upon at pages 477 to 479. 



The treatment of the wound, or of the structures directly 

 injured, will in one sense be a simple affair. The principal 

 difficulty will be to arrest the flow of synovia ; and perhaps the 

 best mode of doing this will be by a free use of the solution of 

 Nitrate of Silver, and also of the Sulphate of Copper, ia the 

 way described at page 484. Note carefully the place where 

 the fluid escapes ; dab the part with the Nitrate of Silver, 

 and then dust the powder frequently upon it. 



The limb should be kept rigidly straight, if possible, 

 until the opening into the cavity of the knee is closed 

 with new tissue ; and, in order to do this, relieve the animal 

 when he is thoroughly wearied, by placing him in slings.* 



* Upon the whole, I think very little of slings ; but circumstances may- 

 arise when the veterinary surgeon may be compelled to resort to them. It 

 appears to me that machinery might J)e constructed to secure the patient, then 

 to raise him from the ground, and gradually lower the animal upon his side, 

 and there allOTV him to rema.in as long as necessary. 



