96 WOUNDS AND BRUISES. 



suppuration, which is always accompanied by destruction of tissue. 

 In all cases the horse should be prevented from injuring his bad 

 knee by tying him up, or by using a cradle (Fig. 40). If dirt or 

 grit has entered the wound, it may be removed by bathing the 

 part with warm water for a few minutes ; but if there is no foreign 

 body in the cut, or the skin is not divided, the application of water 

 will serve no useful purpose. After cleaning the wound and dress- 

 ing it with tannoform, apply a thick covering of antiseptic wood- 

 wool or antiseptic cotton-wool over it, and bandage with moderate 

 pressure (p. 44). Be careful that the soft material is evenly 

 distributed round the leg; that there is a sufficiency of it; and 

 that the bandage, though it should give firm support, is not put 

 on too tightly. Considering how difficult it is to keep dressings 

 on the wound without interfering with the circulation, it is often 

 the best plan to content ourselves with dusting the part- freely 

 over with tannoform and keeping it clean. At the same time 

 remember that judiciously applied pressure is very valuable in 

 getting the wound to heal in a healthy manner, and prevent subse- 

 quent thickening of the part. If there be any discharge, gently 

 syringe the wound two or three times a day with an antiseptic 

 solution (p. 67), and renew the tannoform as required. If it be 

 difficult to apply the tannoform, use a saturated solution of 

 iodoform in eucalyptus oil. In case any of these drugs cannot be 

 obtained use burnt alum. If there be no discharge, it is best to 

 let the wound heal in a dry condition. 



Very often a small piece of dead tissue will be seen presenting a 

 deadened, white appearance in the wound. This should be. removed 

 by the curved scissors, otherwise it will act as a foreign body. 



If the animal has to be kept standing for a long time, slings 

 should be employed. The horse should on no account get his 

 freedom, until there is not tbe slightest probability of the skin 

 cracking in the event of his bending the leg. 



If the wound be sufficiently serious to warrant the fear of open 

 joint occurring, especially if the animal is restless, he should be at 

 once put into slings. 



If the tendon has been crushed, and not cut, the crushed part 

 may slough out after four or five days, and will leave the joint 

 exposed. Whether this occurs by sloughing, or by laceration of 

 the tendon, there is, then, great danger to the life of the patient. 

 Even if he recovers, he will have a permanently stiff kneo joint. 

 If the injury be complicated by fracture of one or more bones of 

 the knee, recovery may be regarded as nearly hopeless. 



It is well to remember that a flow of synovia from the wound, 

 even in considerable quantities, in a case of broken knees, is no 

 proof that the joint has been opened ; for the synovia may be 



