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 cases there is 

 fever, sweating, loss of appetite and other symptoms 

 of severe pain. The discharge of synovial fluid 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 can 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 scab 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 



