TRAUMATIC LESIONS. 325 
Some authors, believing that the flowing of the synovia was the only 
obstacle to the cicatrization of the trauma, have had recourse to coagulat- 
ing agents. Caussé and Peuch have recorded cases showing the ad- 
‘vantages derived with tannin. Caussé says he has. cured with it four 
~cases of wounds of the sesamoid groove injured by nails and one of the 
ssynovial of the tendon of the gastrocnemius. The horse treated by Peuch 
‘was suffering with a penetrating wound of the tarsal sheath; blistering 
‘frictions on the hock and cauterization of the wound with sublimate 
hhaving failed, with tannin recovery was quite rapid. Other practition- 
“ers have used successfully egyptiacum ointment in dressings, as in cases 
~of wounds of articular synovials. 
On account of the obturating eschare that it produces, actual cauterization 
“or potential caustics has, for a long time, been considered by some as the 
“best treatment. Sublimate and nitrate of silver have specially been used. 
In the observation of Knoll, the great sesamoid sac and the articulation of 
the fetlock were open; sublimate, used after several other treatments had 
‘failed, brought on recovery. With sublimate collodion (15 parts in 30) 
Francois has obtained the rapid closing of a wound of the tarsal sac. 
In a horse affected with a wound of the small sesamoid sac due toa 
cfracture of the bone, Verlinde enlarged and cleaned the wound, cauterized 
the fetlock with sublimate powder, and applied an antiseptic dressing. 
‘No complication occurred. 
Nitrate of silver has been praised by Barthe, Dangel, Ribaud. With 
Tepeated cauterizations by this agent, synovial wounds close rapidly. The 
mare of Barthe, which had an open sesamoid sac after a too severe firing, 
‘recovered rapidly. 
Many practitioners have combined vesicating, coagulating and cauter- 
izing agents. The caustic tar (a tablespoonful of Norway tar, half a tea- 
‘spoonful of sulphuric acid at 66°) has given Cagnat good results in the 
treatment of wounds of the anterior face of the knee, involving the ex- 
tensor tendons and their sheaths. 
Though penetrating wounds of tendinous synovials may get well by the 
-use of so varied forms of treatment, to-day all those last, except con- 
tinued irrigations, are with justice replaced by antisepsy. /yicks, after 
careful disinfection of the skin, are covered with iodoformed collodion 
and a.wadding dressing. More extensive wounds should be first well 
washed, carefully irrigated with a strong antiseptic solution, especially if 
some hours have elapsed since they were received; their edges should 
‘be shaved ; stitches placed at their extremities will prevent their gaping 
to excess; and if asepsy is sure and compiete they may be entirely closed. 
‘by stitches with or without drainage. A wadding iodoformed dressing 
insures immobilization. 
