198 PRINCIPLES OP VETEEINAEY SURGEET 



Purulent Arthritis (Arthritis Purulenta). 



How is purulent arthritis produced ? 



Pus producing bacteria may reacli the joint via the blood 

 current, as in pyemic polyarthritis of calves and colts, or a 

 purulent inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding a joint 

 may extend into the joint by contiguity, or, as is more com- 

 monly the case, pus producing bacteria are carried into the 

 joint through a "wound perforating the joint. 



Describe purulent arthritis. 



There is high fever and great constitutional disturbance. 

 Pain and heat and a diffused swelling about the joint are 

 marked. In those cases where a penetrating wound was the 

 cause of it, a purulent synovial discharge (opaque, straw color) 

 is seen. Periarticular abscesses may be observed in any case 

 of this sort. 



Is pu/rulent arthritis a serious condition ? 



Decidedly. In the horse these cases are soon complicated 

 with septicemia or septicopyemia, rapidly causing death, 

 especially when the larger joints, such as the stifle or hock, 

 are infected. 



In case recovery should set in, what changes take place in a 

 joint previously affected with pu/rulent arthritis f 



Anchylosis of the joint will be the result. i 



How do you treat pu/rulent arthritis ? 



For economic reasons, at least in the larger animals, as 

 the horse, no treatment is attempted. The indications are to 

 puncture the joint, asepticize it, and keep it so by continuous 

 irrigation. In the dog, resection of the joint or amputation 

 can be practiced. i 



