CHAPTER X 
DISEASES OF THE LATERAL CARTILAGES 
A. WOUNDS OF THE CARTILAGES. 
To a consideration of this we shall devote but little space. 
It is sufficient to say that any wound in the region of the 
coronet should always be given the most careful attention. 
More particularly should this be so when it is ascertained 
that the wound has involved one of the lateral cartilages. 
Wounds of non-vascular bodies such as these are always 
slow to heal, and, by reason of their slowness, invite septic 
infection. In many eases, in fact, it happens that they do 
not heal at all. Instead, the injured part becomes necrotic, 
is unable to cast itself off, and remains as a centre of 
infection in the depths of the wound, thus constituting what 
is known as a quittor. 
Apart from this, it will be remembered that the internal 
face of the cartilage is in intimate contact with the pedal 
articulation, especially anteriorly. Wounds in this situation 
are, therefore, likely to penetrate the joint, giving us as 
a complication of the injury the conditions of synovitis and 
arthritis. 
Immediately a wound is inflicted in this position, attempts 
should be made to insure thorough asepsis of the part. 
When possible, by far the better way of accomplishing this 
will be to wholly immerse the foot in a tub of cold antiseptic 
solution, and keep it there for an hour three times daily. 
During the time the foot is out of the solution the wound 
should be protected with a pad of carbolized tow or other 
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