WOUNDS 227 
was a small cavity, and the lameness had disappeared. On 
February 15 the wound had completely healed, and its 
borders were covered by a layer of thin horn. As the 
animal was sound it was sent to work. 
The author directs attention to the rapidity with which a 
large and complete wound cicatrizes after the operation for 
gathered nail.* 
In the case of Penetrated Navicular Bursa, unaccom- 
panied by the formation of any large quantity of pus, and 
uncomplicated by necrosis of the aponeurosis, our aim must 
be to maintain the wound in that happy condition. This is 
doubtless best done by keeping the foot continually in a 
cold bath, rendered strongly antiseptic by the addition of 
sulphate of copper and perchloride of mercury. Should 
there be intervals when the bath must be neglected, the 
foot in the meantime must be kept clean by antiseptic 
packing and bandaging, and a clean bag over all. This 
treatment should be continued so long as the character of 
the discharge denotes that synovia is running. If, in spite 
of our precautions, the discharge becomes purulent, then the 
track made by the penetrating object should be syringed 
twice daily with a 1 in 1,000 solution of perchloride of 
mercury. 
During the treatment it will be wise to shoe the animal 
with a high-heeled shoe. We do not know as yet the full 
extent of the injury. The navicular bone may be tending 
to caries; or necrosis of the plantar aponeurosis, all un- 
known, gradually becoming pronounced. This calls for a 
relief of tension on the perforans, and is only to be brought 
about by the high-heeled shoe. 
The result of the inflammatory changes in the tendon, 
aided possibly by the use of the high-heeled shoe, is to after- 
wards bring about contraction. Where this has occurred, and 
the animal walks continuously on his toe, the shoe with the 
projecting toe-piece (Fig. 84) must be applied. When the 
continual use of the toe-piece appears inadvisable, the shoe 
* Veterinary Record, vol. xv., p. 226 (Jourdan). 
15—2 
