34 THE CANADIAlf HOESE 



To some these may seem very convenient and eflPectual 

 methods of stopping the discharge, and doubtless in some 

 cases they may, succeed, if circumstances are favourable ; but 

 in many cases, when an artificial plug is thus formed, it 

 merely plugs it up for a little, — by and by, ulceration of the 

 skin occurs, the plug falls out before the internal parts have 

 healed, and the consequence is, that' we have a far larger and 

 more dangerous wound than before. In changing the poul- 

 tice, be sure not to remove any of the coagula of synovia 

 that may have formed round the opening. The poultice 

 must be simply removed and changed, without washing the 

 wound. When the granulations become exuberant, they can 

 be regulated by squeezing a sponge of cold water over it, 

 or dust on a little oxide of zinc. Nothing, however, must 

 be injected^ into the wound, as is sometimes done. Punc- 

 tured wounds of joints must be tjeated on the same prin- 

 ciples ; the joint must be kept perfectly still, and the granu- 

 lations encouraged by poultices, &c. Some, however, find 

 that blisters applied around the wound close it up speedily 

 and successfnlly, by the tumefaction they occasion. Some 

 also approve of the actual cautery, used in the same way, to 

 produce swelling of the surrounding parts. Of course, 

 success in the treatment of open joint must depend greatly 

 on the temperament of the animal. If it occurs in a nervous 

 restless animal, the symptomatic fever runs high, and success 

 is doubtful ; but if in a quiet, phlegmatic animal, we seldom 

 have much fever, and he is likely to do well, if treated properly. 



It is necessary in all cases of injury, particularly in this 

 case, to givrsome opening medicine ; from four to six drachms 

 of aloes should be given, in a ball. Green feed, when pro- 

 curable, is best ; but otherwise, give bran-mash, carrots, 

 boiled feed, &c., and an occasional dose of nitre or some 

 diuretic, to prevent swelling of the legs. 



