BARBED WIRE CUTS 485 



badly infected, its walls should first be submitted to a thor- 

 ough mechanical disinfection, curettage, dissection of the in- 

 fected walls, etc., and then treated as above directed for a re- 

 cent case. 



Implication of the synovials requires no change from the 

 above procedure, except that the copious discharge will ne- 

 cessitate renewal of the dressing two or three times daily. 



Other drugs may be substituted for the cauterant mix- 

 ture above recommended, amongst which are phenol, equal 

 parts of phenol, tincture of iron and glycerine, and butter of 

 antimony. 



2. In the Flexion Surface of the Hock. — This wound is 

 sustained by kicking through the fence, and sometimes, but 

 rarely, by an unsuccessful jump. In this case the wire saws 

 a ragged laceration into the region, in the attempt to release 

 theleg. The wound varies from a simple cutaneous breach 

 to a serious articular injury in which the tibio-astragular 

 articulation is laid bare and the tendons of the flexor meta- 

 tarsi and extensor pedis are severed. Frequently, indeed, 

 the capsule of the articulation is torn open. This wound is 

 always a serious affair, even when the tendons and synovials 

 are not injured, because the flexion movements of the joint 

 interfere with healing during the acute stage of the inflamma- 

 tion, and always end in promoting the formation of a blem- 

 ishing scar that leaves the patient practically unsalable 

 thereafter. 



TREATMENT. — The most annoying phase of the treat- 

 ment of this injury is the patient's formidable opposition to 

 bandages. As soon as the bandages are nicely applied the 

 horse at once opposes them by executing a series of contor- 

 tions with the leg which are continued until the whole affair' 

 is disarranged and much damage has been done to the 

 ■wound. Braces, paddings, or any of the various immobiliz- 

 " ing contrivances are likewise resented to the extent of ren- 

 dering their application both useless and harmful. Further- 

 more, the patient is often an unbroken youngster that will 

 not take kindly to any form of interference. 



All things considered, a special form of open-wound 

 treatment seems best, except when the tractability of the 

 patient indicates that the protective dressing would not be 

 thus disturbed. In the latter event the "intensive antisep- 

 sis" mentioned in the foregoing variety, and the packings 

 with-abundance of boric acid, which is renewed according as 

 it becomes soaked with secretions, is advisable, but when the 

 bandaging is opposed by movements of the leg the following 



