Open Joint 175 
sticky fluid may be noticed, that has a slippery feel 
when rubbed between the fingers. In the course of 
twenty-four hours, the joint swells and becomes in- 
flamed. The horse is “dead lame,” scarcely touching 
the affected leg to the floor. In some eases there is 
fever, sweating, loss of appetite and other symptoms 
of severe pain. The discharge of synovial finid in- 
creases, especially if the animal moves the joint, until 
a large amount escapes. In most cases the ani- 
mal holds the leg from the floor, or barely rests the 
toe. At first the joint-oil that escapes is colorless, 
but, as the inflammation extends and becomes more 
severe, the fluid becomes thicker, amber-colored, then 
reddish, and in severe cases it may contain pus. 
The proper treatment is to close the wound and get 
it to heal as quickly as possible. An open joint should 
not be probed nor should antiseptics or other fluids 
be injected into the joint. The wound should be 
treated as soon as possible after the injury. If it is 
of some size, it ean often be closed with stitches, but 
care must be taken not to pierce the joint with the 
needle. After the wound is closed, or at once, if it 
is small, it can be covered with iodoform, powdered 
acetanilid, or parched flour, and covered with bandages. 
If a seab forms that stops the escape of the joint-oil, 
it should not be removed. To lessen the inflammation, 
cold applications, such as crushed ice or contin- 
uous irrigation by cold water may be employed. 
The animal should be kept as quiet as_ possible 
so as to prevent moving the joint. If the wound 
heals at once and the inflammation subsides, there is 
